Yarrabah elders at wits’ end
A YOUNG Yarrabah business owner feels like her “heart has been ripped out” after her takeaway shop was repeatedly targeted by vandals.
Shennae Neal operates Gilpul’s Takeaway which was broken into 14 times in one month.
Born and bred in the Yarrabah community, the 26-yearold business owner is a young community leader and says she is passionate about improving the lives of indigenous people.
“But when stuff like this happens it disheartens me,” she said. “There is nothing in place to stop the kids breaking in.”
At the weekend thieves managed to circumvent added security at the shop, including heavy-duty wire gates and plate steel padlock covers by getting in through the roof.
Drinks and meat were sto- len, fridges left open, the contents allowed to spoil and the shop’s interior vandalised.
“There is nothing that can be done,” Ms Neal said.
“They can break in tonight and the police (can) do nothing.”
There are Queensland Police officers stationed at Yarrabah but residents must call 000 after midnight.
There is one private security guard for a population of 5000 people.
Other businesses, schools, council buildings, the PCYC and the church have also been targeted by thieves and vandals.
Community leader Elverina Johnson said there needed to be a change to the law.
“If they can make laws that basically discriminate against our people by stopping certain types of alcohol then why can’t they change the laws to penalise parents through Centrelink payments,” she said.