Territory cop shares his special day in a unique outback way
THE REMOTE Aboriginal community of Papunya has hosted a unique Territory wedding, the first of its kind in the community.
Northern Territory Police Sergeant Chris Beaumont and his wife Sophie Rooks tied the knot earlier this month, as community residents watched on. Ms Rooks, now Ms Beaumont, was walked down the aisle by Papunya traditional owner Sammy Butcher.
Ms Beaumont, who works in the Remote School Attendance Strategy program, said that the couple had originally planned to wed at the Alice Springs courthouse until a couple of people suggested they get the local community involved. “The community all worked to paint the church, tile the outside and decorated it for the day,” she said.
“We wanted to give back something to them because we had been working here for the last few years. Everyone was dressed up and everyone was happy.” Sergeant Beaumont said the residents of Papunya had all chipped in during the preparations for the big day.
“They decided to do that, I suppose they must like us,” he said. “The church is often used for funerals and there are a lot of funerals out in community. There is a lot of sadness in the church and this showed a different use for the building and the venue.” The couple’s nuptials included a local pastor who did a reading in Luritja and a pastor from Alice Springs who acted as the celebrant. Mr Beaumont said one of the community elders had commented that it was like watching a movie.
Known locally as Warumpi, the community of Papunya is situated 240km northwest of Alice Springs in the Luritja Pintubi Ward of the MacDonnell Regional Council.