CAPE YORK ADVENTURES - Photo Gallery

NQ Diocesan President Nancie Irvin and  Peninsula Region Vice President Maureen Mossman  set out from Cairns to Injinoo, our furthermost Branch in this Region for an official visit.  Northern Outreach Money enables such travel- and is appreciated. As no planes fly on the weekend, we left Cairns on Friday and returned on Monday thus giving us every opportunity to sample the wonderful hospitality of this remote community. Rev. Mary Eseli met the plane and we were hosted by Mrs Ella Cowley and her family with plenty of feasting and talking all weekend with members of this very active Branch.

The photos attached can speak for themselves. To visit our Peninsula Branches by plane, we have to fly to Bamaga, back to Cairns, to Pormparaaw/Kowanyama and back to Cairns, to Lockhart River and back to Cairns - no interconnecting flights. Having said this, on leaving Bamaga after visiting Injinoo, the plane could not refuel as the keeper of the truck keys apparently lost them whilst fending off a bushfire, so the plane had to be diverted to Lockhart River! Maureen and I spent a night in Cairns on our return before heading to the airport to fly to Pormparaaw on the west coast of the Peninsula - here we were met by Lillian Noah and Elizabeth Norman who are studying to be Deaconed in the near future. We did not come face to face with a crocodile, but could see monster ones across the river on the far bank - close enough. From Pormparaaw is a 15 minute rather bumpy flight to Kowanyama.

Kowanyama enrolled their Priest Wayne Connolly, a Health Worker Maud, and Wontulp Bi Buya students John and Serena to their membership and  6 other members renewed their MU vows - a very heartening event.

On arriving back in Cairns we had the weekend  to check on Conference arrangements as well as visiting Maureen's Branch, St. Luke's. From there we were met with enthusiasm at the 10am service at Yarrabah Community.

We had time to visit with the Principal of Wontulp Bi Buya College and saw first hand the wonderful job they do with Theology studies for the  Indigenous Community across the State.

Tuesday we flew to Lockhart River on the east coast, to be met by Veronica Piva who gave us a guided tour of the Far beach and the community. No need for special invitations to a function, as we drove around, she called to her Ladies that there would be Kai Kai at her place 6.30pm that night to meet Big Boss MU President - and members came proud of their Mothers’ Union membership.

It was a sad farewell the next day as we were made most welcome and in such a short time met many who have great influence in the Community. Veronica was making Coconut Oil manually, in Injinoo 3 coconuts were used for their Coconut Damper, Pormparaaw unfortunately still have their Canteen open, Kowanyama have crocodiles in the creek (which is fenced) behind the Rectory and 2 huge Brahman Bulls passed by under the Mango tree (on the other side of the fence) and roamed the town during the night.

Maureen was a wonderful ambassador for MU, knew so many of the Community as she too studies at Wontulp Bi Buya and had connections in each community. We were able to deliver to all Communities, the new Worship and Prayer Book which was well received. 

Shortly after Nancie’s arrival home, she flew to Mt. Isa where their Branch had recently gone into recess - to be greeted by excitement that our 85 year old Diana Lister and  friend Barbara Fisher were starting up again with Fellowship. 5 Members were at Church on the Sunday with Beauty from Zimbabwe and another lady from Sri Lanka saying that their Mothers and Grandmothers, who are members back home, want to know when they are joining Mothers Union - so Mt. Isa has had its hard times (name of a horse what is given a place in history in starting mining in the West) and now moving again. Long  Membership recognition was given to Diana and Barbara at a surprise Pot Luck dinner on the Saturday night.

All Communities on the Peninsula and Torres St are appreciative of the opportunity they have to welcome official visitors and as is the case this year, to sponsor one member to fly in to Cairns for the Annual Conference 4/7th October - to take back to their Branches the wonderful feeling of Community at these Conferences.

Thank you Australia for assisting members in remote areas of the North to feel less isolated - even if for just a while.

Nancie Irvin
September 2009

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last updated 17/10/2009