Cairns’ AFL Cape York houses record incredible new milestone

Some 22 years after AFL made its first push into Cape York, then decided to turn sport into opportunity for the remote region, the sport’s two Cairns boarding schools have reached an impressive new record.

Azariah Mamarika, 14, of Groote Eylandt studies with AFL Cape York House tutor Shirlee Webb. Picture: Brendan Radke

WHAT started as a bumpy trip up the Peninsula Development Road with a couple of footballs some 22 years ago has turned into a Cairns sporting and educational phenomena.

For the first time since AFL Cape York boys’ and girls’ houses opened their doors — eight and two years ago, respectively — both boarding facilities are at capacity, with 99 students coming in from Cape York, the Torres Strait, the Gulf and the Northern Territory to attend Cairns schools.

The boys’ house recorded its best school results last year since opening in 2013, while 90 per cent of the girls who started in 2019 have returned.

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AFL was always the carrot, but giving remote-based kids the chance for a better life and better opportunities education-wise remains the end game, according to AFL Cape York regional manager Rick Hanlon.

“Some of our kids have come from horrendous backgrounds, they have ear and mouth infections, they’re just not healthy,” he said. “As soon as they set foot here, their life direction changes and a lot of it is because they’ve got opportunities, they’re not in a tunnel with nowhere to go.

“It’s not just about kids going to uni, it’s about kids getting a job and holding onto a job.

“Some will go back to the islands and fish for a living. If they go back to community, they can contribute to community in a positive way.”

AFL Cape York House is at capacity this year for both the boys’ and girls’ houses. The organisation needs more tutors to help the students with their homework in the afternoon. Robby Toby, 14, of Badu Island, is tutored by Stephen Yamashita. Picture: Brendan Radke

Inaugural boys graduate Anthony Nicholls from Thursday Island ended up at Sydney University studying to be a physiotherapist, while classmate Nathaniel Tamwoy from Badu Island also went to Sydney to study allied health.

Some have landed apprenticeships, some working for Rio Tinto at Weipa.

Girls graduate Alma Enosa from Saibai Island has joined the navy, while Maria Wuruki from Yam Island, who graduated last year, is trialling for the Indigenous Marathon Program.

The facilities remain boarding schools like no other, with tutors and mentors on hand to assist with homework, some of whom even attend the schools alongside the students.

“We’ve really honed in the focus around education, wellbeing and transition, and creating a place where they want to come, want to be and want to stay,” boys’ house manager Kane Richter said.

Shavinta Bann, 14, from Thursday Island, and Delwyn Scholes, 17, from Mornington Island, play some one-on-one basketball after school on the campus halfcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

“If the boarding or school environment is not good, they’re not going to last long.”

Mentor Billie-Jo Jarrett, who was formerly head of campus at Horn Island’s Tagai State College, said they had to individually cater their approaches to each student.

“For some, going to school five days a week is a success; for some, getting a C is amazing,” she said.

“The success of even submitting assessment is huge for them.”

Girls’ house manager Sean Hunter said the benefits were two-fold — particularly with the newer girls’ house — with the benefits communities could reap.

“The more strong females in communities in particular, the better outcomes for the person, their family and their community,” he said.

Originally published as Cairns’ AFL Cape York houses record incredible new milestone