Page 91 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

CAPE YORK
AFL CAPE YORK HOUSE
AFL Cape York House went from being a dream to reality when construction commenced in July 2012.
AFLCY House is a 48 bed residential facility for secondary students from the remote Indigenous Communities of Cape York Peninsula, the Gulf and Torres Strait. Students residing at AFLCY House will attend one of six selected Cairns secondary high schools who we will sign a memorandum of understanding with regarding support and expectation for students.
The initiative around AFLCY House started back in 2005 when
a report on an abandoned Rugby Union field was written about in the Cairns Sun newspaper. The field, owned by the State Government and leased by Cairns City Council, is ideal as it
is situated in the heart of Cairns major industrial zone. The positioning is perfect for potential work experience, traineeships, apprenticeships etc for students residing at the House.
AFLCY House is made up of two residential blocks, a three bedroom General Manager’s residence including a kitchen, office and amenities blocks with each residential block having a room designated for night staff.
Architect Steve Gleeson was appointed Project Manager and went about finding a builder that could deliver the $5.2 million dollar project on budget and in time for the start of term one in 2013. HPS (Hedley Plumbing Services) was appointed as builder and within days slabs were poured and the project was underway. For the project to be completed in time we will need the gods to be with us, as an early North Queensland wet would make things very tough. At this stage we are more than confident that the project handover will be on time and within budget.
A key component of the initiative will be our lifestyle and responsibility program. Each student will be responsible for maintaining their own room, laundry, learning to cook and present food, assist in the ground maintenance of the playing field and surrounds. The old rugby field has been converted into an AFL
field and will be continued to be developed so that local junior club games can be played at the venue. We have spoken with AFL Cairns Women and Masters Leagues about potentially using the facility.
While residing at AFLCY House, younger aged students aged 13-15 years will focus on improving their school grades while the older students will be engaged in work skilling and other educational training. Students will be selected by completing an entry application form which the General Manager will assess. Successful students will be profiled, helping to provide a good understanding of which partner school would best suit the student.
We have now appointed our General Manager, Mr Richard Stewart, who comes to the role with the right credentials and experience
to fill a very diverse position. Richard has a strong background in education as a Principal, CEO in a remote Indigenous Community in the NT and for the past four years, working with the Federal Department DEEWR as Project Manager, Indigenous Education and Employment.
Richard’s initial role will be to fine tune policy and procedures, student selection and ensuring MOU’s with partner schools are set.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Jenny Macklin and her staff at FaHCSIA, QLD Government, Department of Communities, Indigenous Housing, AFL, Cairns City Council, and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
AFL Queensland
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