Location: Cape York, QLD
Dates: 17th to 20th August 2023
Kowanyama
We’re coming back!
We are delighted to announce our eagerly anticipated return to Kowanyama from August 17th to 20th! During this exciting visit, we will engage with the community through interactive sessions at schools, exhilarating community games, and thrilling footy matches. The warm and welcoming spirit of Kowanyama is truly infectious, and we are thrilled to be a part of the cultural exchange and celebration of unity.
Kowanyama means “place of many waters” in the Yir Yoront language. The community includes the Kokoberra, Yir Yoront [or Kokomenjen] and Kunjen clans, who each have language and other cultural differences.
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire consists of beautiful and unique wetlands and delta mangroves in the north, extending to the bushland forest country of the central peninsula.
Greater than 1000 people now live in Kowanyama, making it one of the largest communities on the Cape York Peninsula. Kowanyama's Aboriginal people continue to identify strongly with their ancestral countries and with the languages, stories, songs, dances, and histories associated with those countries.
Tour Itinerary
-
Day 1
17 AUG 2023
7am
flight out of Brisbane with RAAF2:30pm
Arrive in Kowanyama (Picked up by Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council bus and transported to accommodation)3pm
Elders welcome on football fields4pm – Game of Touch Football and mingle with community
4pm to 7pm
DC Staff to facilitate training for Seniors Games6pm
BBQ Dinner on oval7pm
Transport back to accommodation7:30pm
FREE TIME – Potential cultural activity (pig hunting) -
Day 2
18 AUG 2023
6am - 8:30am
Breakfast at accommodation8:30am
Meeting on the deck8:45am
Travel to School9am to 10:30am
Group 1 School
Group 2 Elders10:30am to 12pm
Group 2 School
Group 1 Elders============
9am to 10am (School)
Traditional Games
(Student Group 1) DCCoaching Clinic
(Student Group 2)
Dolphins / QRLQUT Testing
(Student Group 3)
QUT / DC——————
10am to 11am (School)
Traditional Games
(Student Group 3)
DCCoaching Clinic
(Student Group 1)
Dolphins / QRLQUT Testing
(Student Group 2)
QUT / DC——————
11am to 12pm (School)
Traditional Games
(Student Group 2)
DCCoaching Clinic
(Student Group 3)
Dolphins / QRLQUT Testing
(Student Group 1)
QUT / DC——————
9am to 12pm (Elders)
Seniors Games
DC——————
9am to 12pm (Kindy)
Deadly Kindies
DC============
12:30pm to 1pm
Lunch at School1pm to 2pm
School Assembly2pm-7pm
FREE TIME
Cultural Activity (Fishing/Crabbing)7:30pm
Dinner @ Training Centre -
Day 3
19 AUG 2023
6am to 8am
Breakfast7am to 9am
DC staff and ABF FIT staff to set up at fields8am
Players transported to fields8:30am to 10am
Coaching Clinic with Dolphins/QRL staff10am – 3pm
Football games played on the hourPlayers to mingle and provide on-field support
3:15pm
ABF Future Immortals Game5pm
ABF FIT & DC Staff pack down field5:30pm
Players transported back to accommodation for showers7pm
Transport players/staff to community hall for dinner7:30pm
Dinner -
Day 4
20 AUG 2023
Morning
Breakfast
Pack up, transport to Kowanyama Airport
Depature RAAF flight
Kowanyama 2023 Apparel Artwork
By Brenton Bowen, Guugu Yimithirr People
Guided by the Sky - This artwork tells the story of Kowanyama's elders following the journey of their ancestors along the rivers and the beaches learning about healing, protecting and teaching. The colours represent the spirits of the elders past and the black is the night sky under which they rest and visit with each other.
Brenton Bowen is a proud Guugu Yimithirr speaking man form Hope Vale, a small Aboriginal Community in far North Queensland. Brenton has grown a deep passion for Indigenous art, describing his painting as connecting source to his motherland and community. The skill he has acquired grew from watching some of his most cherished memories form his childhood including hunting and fishing with family and friends.
Brenton is grateful to have experienced the traditions that Indigenous people have practiced for thousands of years, which has provided him with the knowledge to educate his children and continue to pass on stories and Indigenous customs.
Future Immortal Players for Kowanyama 2023
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.