Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation representatives Richard Killian and Marc Harbrow celebrate top prizes with Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young. Photo: Supplied.
The western Cape community of Pormpuraaw is only small, but its efforts and recent achievements in reconciliation and First Nations wellbeing are anything but.
The Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation (PPAC) was celebrated at the Queensland Reconciliation Awards earlier this month, bringing home the top prize in the Premier’s Reconciliation Award and Community categories for their work with the annual Pormpuraaw Youth Summit.
“We are still shocked, but we are very proud and honoured,” PPAC president Ganthi Kuppusamy said.
“We are grateful that our work is not overlooked, and we learned that a small community like ours can also bring innovative ideas and set a powerful example for others.”
The Pormpuraaw Youth Summit, which is an annual community-led event designed to strengthen cultural identity, leadership skills and reconciliation among First Nations and non-Indigenous youth, has provided a culturally safe space for young people to engage in traditional practices, career mentoring, and health and wellbeing activities, fostering cross-cultural understanding and social cohesion since 2012.
“Last year, the theme of the youth summit was empowerment through reconciliation, so it was all about bringing people together,” Ms Kuppusamy explained.
“When we come together, we can achieve so much and resolve various matters, instead of pointing fingers.”
PPAC’s efforts did not stop at youth, with regular events held throughout the year to acknowledge the lived experiences of residents, and to remind them of the support available.
Ms Kuppusamy said the community’s recent National Sorry Day event, which was attended by almost 200 residents and stakeholders, was an important moment in standing together with the First Nations community.
“It’s about acknowledging the hurt and sadness caused by the past, and working towards reconciliation and healing between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians,” she said.
“I talked to people about our healing program that the organisation is offering, and having these kinds of events helps people understand what services are offered by our organisation, and people feel comfortable to come and attend.”
Acknowledgement of the past creates a hopeful future in Pormpuraaw. Photo: Supplied.
