VOW TO PUT KIDS ON RIGHT P ATH

A CHARITY which has been given the reins to run Townsville’s new on-country program is not based in the region, documents have revealed, but one of its directors vows to make a huge footprint in the area.

Government documents showed Gr8motive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation had a registered address in the Northern Territory, and a headquarters in Atherton near Cairns.

Opposition spokesman for North Queensland Dale Last said he had serious concerns about the program, including the potential start date.

The Townsville Bulletin understands the organisation is yet to hire two cultural mentors and it will be a couple of months before high-risk youths head out west.

“Townsville has had its heart ripped out by this crime epidemic and we need solutions now, not in three, six or 12 months,” Mr Last said.

Chairman Chris Andersen said the organisation would extend its footprint to Townsville and had been working from an office at Flinders St.

Mr Andersen said people had the right to voice their concerns, but assured the community the program was in dedicated hands, with decades of experience in youth justice and Indigenous affairs. “It’s a large job, but we are up for it and committed to it for these children,” he said.

Mr Andersen defended the timeframes, saying the charity worked to build a relationship with each child before taking them on country. He said the organisation had 12 months to prove its success as part of the agreed trial, and he was confident of change.

The company, founded in 2017, was announced as the successful tender for Townsville’s on-country program on Wednesday.

It plans to contract Townsville Indigenous elders Uncle Rusty Butler and Wayne Parker ( pictured) as “cultural specialists”.

Mr Andersen said the pair would work under the YINDA Program banner – a similar Indigenous on-country program the State Government cut funding to late last year.

Mr Last welcomed the inclusion of the well-known Indigenous men, but hoped that there would be measurable results.

Both men said they were thrilled to be on board and “get their hands dirty” to help high-risk children.