Shire parties a hit with community
AURUKUN’S children were delighted when Santa arrived early with the presents this year.
Mayor Dereck Walpo said 350 people attended Aurukun Shire Council’s annual Christmas party on December 5 to sing Christmas carols and enjoy a meal at the Wo’uw Ko’alam Community Centre.
“It was one of three Christmas parties that council hosts for the community each year,” he said.
“About 100 elders enjoyed Christmas lunch at the Chivaree Centre, the council-run aged care facility which provides in-house and home-delivered meals, companionship and assistance with aged care needs.
“The Aurukun Shire Council staff Christmas party was attended by 150 people … a great turnout by our local workers and their families.
“Aurukun Shire Council runs regular community events to encourage the community to come together and socialise in a harmonious environment.”
The community has 14 events organised for next year, including the Onchan Min and Um Thurpak Festivals celebrating the seasons before and after the wet, which was trialled this year.
“These festivals brought 400 to 500 people together to enjoy a local band and a meal at the Wo’uw Ko’alam Community Centre,” Mr Walpo said. “They were so successful in promoting harmonious community relationships that we have added a third festival to the calendar next year, the Ngank Min Festival celebrating ‘Feeling happy inside’.
“The Wo’uw Ko’alam Community Centre is proving a popular venue with much larger crowds than the community events we previously held outdoors on the football field and inside the smaller lodge restaurant.”
THE Weipa Town Authority front desk and Hibberd Library will be closed from 12pm on December 24 through to January 2 for the holidays. The Weipa Aquatic Centre will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Public holiday trading hours will apply on New Year’s Day from 9am to 6pm. Cook Shire Council’s main office will be closing for the Christmas break at 12pm December 24, and reopening at 8.45am on January 2.
Water restrictions
LEVEL one water restrictions are currently in place in Cook Shire Council. Under these restrictions, sprinklers are prohibited on Mondays, and allowed at odd-numbered houses on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 6-8am and 6-8pm, and at even numbered houses on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at the same times. Torres Shire Council is under level two water restrictions, meaning a total ban of watering is in effect on Mondays at Horn Island and Thursday Island.