Minister Highlights Importance of Vaccination in Far Northern Queensland

Communities and Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch has been visiting Queensland’s Far North this week to promote vaccination against COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.

Minister Enoch has visited Wujal Wujal and Cooktown where she met with Queensland Health representatives, Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation and Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott.

“Vaccination rates are low in too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Ms Enoch said.

“It is so important that communities – and especially First Nations Elders who are the precious libraries of our history and the cultural compass of our future – are vaccinated.

“We cannot risk losing even a small proportion of this cultural leadership.

“Vaccinations are so very important for all Queenslanders but particularly within Indigenous communities, so I have been meeting with community leaders to talk about the need to get vaccinated and to combat misinformation about the vaccine.”

During the visit Ms Enoch met with Wujal Wujal Mayor Bradley Creek, who has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the local area.

Minister Enoch also attended a community barbecue in Wujal Wujal and met with the Wujal Wujal Community Justice Group, and local Council representatives in Wujal Wujal and Cooktown.

“I also had the opportunity to attend the promotion ceremony of Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Hall where she was also awarded a national Emergency Medal.

“Eileen is the former CEO of Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and was recognised alongside two of her former staff for her outstanding efforts to help stranded tourists and vulnerable community members trapped by floodwaters evacuate to safety.”

During the visit, Ms Enoch also visited Bana Yirriji Art and Cultural Centre as well as presenting new sporting equipment to the new Wujal Wujal school principal.

The Wujal Wujal walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic is being held from 8-11 November at the Wujal Wujal Primary Healthcare Centre during normal business hours.

ENDS

 Media contact: Philip Pope 0437 859 987