AN EDUCATION program that teaches Kuku Yalanji language to school students in Douglas Shire will continue to thrive.
The Douglas Shire Community Services Association’s Kuku Yalanji First Readers iBook Project was one of eight successful grant recipients to receive funding in Douglas Shire Council’s latest round of community grants.
The funding will be used to complete two more books and convert all books into “ibooks” for access on the internet.
Douglas Shire Council Mayor Julia Leu said the project would foster growth and interest in the region’s local Yalanji language.
“This project will tie in with local schools and allow a wider reach of language education resources,” she said.
“It is a timely initiative with the introduction of Yalanji language classes into Mossman Primary School next year and the huge success of the first set of reader books.”
Douglas Shire Council awarded more than $38,000 to local community groups and organisations.
Funding is delivered through the Community Support Program and Event Funding Program.
The winners range from sporting clubs to preservation research groups.
“Council is proud to help develop these projects that will provide cultural, recreational and environmental opportunities in Douglas Shire,” Mayor Leu said.
A full list of recipients is below:
Douglas Animal Welfare Group
Project: Gala Fundraiser during Carnivale
An event to celebrate the 25th year of Carnivale with a focus on establishing a gala event that brings the community together to raise funds for a charity.
A dinner and show event with high profile entertainment.
Port Douglas Basketball Club Inc
Project: Developing Volunteer Coaches and Referees
The Douglas Heat Basketball Club is aiming to attract new volunteers to the club and increase their coaching and refereeing skills. The club will engage specialist trainers to train coaches and referees.
Great Barrier Reef Legacy
Project: Reef to Rainforest Virtual Reality Education Program
Great Barrier Reef Legacy is a not-for-profit organisation that operates the only independent research vessel on the GBR.
With this project GBR Legacy will purchase Google Expedition Kits to allow them to develop world class virtual reality content for ten people at a time to take guided, immersive, educational experiences of our rainforest and reef.
Douglas Shire Community Services Association
Project: Kuku Yalanji First Readers iBook Project
After the success of their first set of ‘first readers’ books and the introduction of Yalanji language classes into Mossman Primary School next year, it is timely that the Mossman Community Centre arts group are planning to extend the series with two more books and to convert all the books into ‘ibooks’ to enable access on the internet.
This will tie in with use by local schools and enable a wider reach of language educational resources across our region.
Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku
Project: Let’s Get Active Now
BBN has been running a popular school holiday program through their Brave, Strong and Busy program.
With the current upgrades to infrastructure in the community, BBN will use this grant to enhance sports and active recreation infrastructure for basketball, volleyball etc and use this to hold regular after-school activities informally, and formally with community groups from outside the Gorge.
Port Douglas Community Services Network
Project: Men’s Group Bonding and Community Development
With this grant funding, Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre Men’s Group will be able to travel to Cairns and surrounding communities to meet with local Men’s Sheds with a view to developing networks and plan future activities for the Port Douglas group.
Low Isles Preservation Society
Project: Reef in a Box
Reef in a Box is an educational tool kit which will be utilised in collaboration with local primary schools as a fun and interactive way to educate young children about the reef. The project will be delivered by marine biologists and includes life-sized depictions of animals from a Mantis Shrimp to a Dward Minke Whale as well as educational games.
Douglas Netball Association
Project: Umpire and Coach Development
Douglas Netball Association plan to train and mentor their junior players and volunteers to increase levels of accreditation of their umpires and coaches and to provide pathways for their officials in line with Netball Australia’s objectives
