Kang Kang youth and support worker Norma Armstrong-Ravula celebrate at the Um Thurpak Festival. Photo: Norma Armstrong-Ravula.
The Aurukun community gathered to celebrate the time before the wet season begins at the annual Um Thurpak Festival last month (21 October).
The festival is one of several free events run by the Aurukun Shire Council.
Aurukun Mayor Keri Tamwoy said the Um Thurpak Festival was an opportunity for families to come together for a community social occasion.
“It is always pleasing to see the number of Aurukun Shire Council staff and community members who volunteer at these events, and I was especially proud to see the Kang Kang youth helping out with the barbecue,” she said.
Singer Justin Wellington returned this year to entertain the crowd alongside Jonathon Imani.
“We had a good crowd at Um Thurpak who danced the night away to Justin Wellington, a regular performer at our community events, and I thank him for continually coming back to entertain our community,” Cr Tamwoy said.
Justin Wellington and Jonathon Imani entertain the crowd at this year’s festival. Photo: Liz Inglis.
Cr Tamwoy said the community was now looking forward to other events, especially for Christmas.
“The children particularly look forward to the Community Christmas Function where they get to meet Santa and receive a present,” she said.
“It will be held on December 8 this year and will be followed by the Christmas Lights Competition winners’ presentation on December 19.”
Cr Tamwoy thanked the volunteers and Aurukun Shire Council staff who made the events go ahead each year.
“We are also lucky to have generous sponsors, with Skytrans donating a flight as a lucky door prize, which was won by Sharvon Woolla, and support from ALPA stores, Aurukun Bauxite and Rio Tinto to help the event go ahead at the Wo’uw Ko’alam Community Centre,” she said.
