A group of QUT academics and students have this week visited the Queensland outback town of Doomadgee in a step towards future closer connections by first immersing themselves in culture to gain a greater understanding of community priorities.
The trip was made at the invitation of the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council. Timed for NAIDOC Week, it brought QUT representatives together with Council and community members, young people and traditional owners to identify opportunities for ongoing collaboration, research, education and other initiatives to help the town thrive.
Led by Worimi man Dr Craig Cowled from the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, the QUT delegation included academics from the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, environmental science, and engineering - Claudia Taborda, Associate Professor Alessio Russo, Dr Angela Guerrero Gonzalez, and Dr Sarah Briant - along with students Emily Barnard (Masters, architecture) and Paige Thomas (architectural design).
“This was an incredibly valuable opportunity for us all. We gained insight into Aboriginal culture and history and came to better understand the local aspirations of the people of Doomadgee. It was engagement at its most meaningful,” Dr Cowled said.
“As a university, QUT is deeply committed to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island leadership, including creating educational pathways and developing long-term partnerships with communities. Spending this time in Doomadgee is putting that commitment into practice.”
The group were welcomed on their arrival by Deputy Mayor Carlene Logan, councillors and other staff including CEO Troy Fraser. A cross-cultural awareness yarn with Kelly Barclay at the top of the town weir was followed by a traditional coal-fired meal and yarning circle shared with Elders and community members.
“Later that afternoon, we met informally with local students, football players and volleyball players and ran a youth engagement session with information on QTAC and scholarships that are available to encourage further education. Paige and Emily were able to talk to local kids about their experience too,” Dr Cowled said.
The next day the delegation took an economic development tour of the town visiting sites earmarked for projects, as well as historical sites and other places of cultural significance. They also spoke with boarding school students and met with council staff to discuss future partnerships.
“Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council really appreciated this opportunity to engage in open and constructive discussions and explore areas of shared interest with Dr Cowled and the other QUT representatives,” said Council CEO Troy Fraser.
“By spending time in the community, meeting local leaders and community members, and experiencing our environment firsthand, they gained invaluable insight into the lives of our people and our priorities going forward.
“This visit is just the start of what we feel will be a very positive relationship, and we are enthusiastic about continuing to explore future possibilities together in a way that delivers meaningful outcomes.”
The visit was facilitated by Brisbane-based Circ Design, an urban design and placemaking consultancy partnering with governments, developers, traditional owners and communities to shape places that are distinctive, resilient and built for the future.
Main image: (left to right) Dr Craig Cowled, Troy Fraser (CEO of the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council), Paige Thomas (QUT student), Associate Professor Alessio Russo, Dr Angela Guerrero, Dr Sarah Briant, Emily Barnard (QUT student), Catherine Simpson (Circ Design). Photo: Claudia Taborda.
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver
QUT Media
07 3138 2361 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
