Cooktown, Wujal Wujal & Hope Vale 2023
Location: North QLD
Dates: 6th to 10th September 2023
North QLD, here we come!
Anticipation grows as the Future Immortals Tour approaches North Queensland from September 6th to 10th. Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, and Hope Vale will host this event, organised through the collaborative efforts of the Hope Vale Foundation, Wujal Wujal Council, Gungarde, My Pathway and The Foundation.
Cooktown's history-rich lands honour the Guugu Yimithirr people's traditions.
Wujal Wujal, by the Bloomfield River, draws from its 'many falls' namesake, with a World Heritage backdrop.
Hope Vale cradles residents on Thubi Warra lands, a lush valley with native bushland and mountains.
The North Queensland tour will see Rugby League Stars engaging in social, educational, corporate, and sporting activities. Collaborating with locals, discussing local issues and nurturing aspirations, uniting legends with communities for a brighter future.
Tour Highlights
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Wed 6th September
Travel day into Cooktown
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Welcome Smoking Ceremonies in each of the three regions (Cooktown, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal)
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Thur 7th September
Community/School/Cultural activities across Cooktown, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal
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Fri 8th September
Community/School/Cultural activities across Cooktown, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal
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Bowls Fundraiser in Cooktown
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Sat 9th September
Coaching Clinics
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Junior Division Games
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Future Immortals Tour Main Game
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Cocktail Function Fundraiser in Cooktown
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Sun 10th September
Travel Day home
Tour Apparel Artwork
By Brenton Bowen, Guugu Yimithirr People
I created this piece with the story of collaboration, strength, forward motion and celebration in each community as my inspiration.
The colours and meeting places represents of each of the parties that made this event possible (Hope Vale Foundation, Wujal Wujal Council, Gungarde, My Pathway and ABF Future Immortals Tour)
I put Kangaroo tracks in this design as well to represent the name itself coming from the Cooktown area, also because the Kangaroo can only move forward and I believe this an exciting move forward for the Cooktown/Wujal Wujal and Hope Vale Communities.
I couldn’t do this design without referencing the waves from Cooktown, Wujal Wujal and Hope Vale with community members loving the beach and fishing.
The footprints representing the Elders that have walked these lands before us and the three rivers that run through the middle meeting place represents the Three Rivers competition.
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Barefoot Bowls
Enjoy playing a game of Barefoot Bowls and watch the NRL Finals with the ABF Future Immortals Tour Team. We will also have raffles, footy doubles, number board and a silent auction.
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Cocktail Function
Join the ABF Future Immortals Tour Players after the main game for a Cocktail Fundraiser at the River of Gold Motel Function Room.
Future Immortal Players
Rugby League’s champions giving back to the game and getting something themselves in return
The ABF Future Immortals Tour events will provide the opportunity for former NRL players to stay engaged in Rugby League post the end of their careers. Retirement can be hard on players as they step out of the spotlight and transition back into the community.
This can have a lasting effect both physically and mentally on the NRL “old boys” as they try and adjust their mindset and routine into a different way of life that they are used to. For this reason we’re giving them the chance to give back, whilst giving disadvantaged communities access to their heroes.