Community Services

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council is committed to serve the needs of its community.

Our dedicated team of local workers are here to answer your questions, serve with a smile and help you identify your solution.

Community notifications and messages are managed through the Yarrabah Community Newsletter and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Facebook page.

All of councils facilities and room hire are managed through the Yarrabah Council Administration. Our friendly officers are happy to take your call and talk through your service need – hire fees are applicable and in some cases a bond is specified as a requirement. Our facilities are managed locally and whilst the hire cost is reasonable, we have set a hefty bond due to past indiscretions and avoidable damage to our building.

Education

Early childhood education in Yarrabah is managed by Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council through the Yarrabah Daycare Centre.

Preschool and Primary education is delivered by Queensland Education through the Yarrabah State School. Parents also have education options via the schools in nearby Gordonvale and Edmonton.

High school education is delivered by Queensland Education. Years 7 to 10 are available in Yarrabah. Years 11 and 12 is available out of community either through Gordonvale State High School or via the many options available (alternative secondary educations – boarding schools etc.).

Religious

Council acknowledges the Anglican Church as the original missionaries and their history through the Saint Albans Church. Today, Yarrabah is open to other denominations who offer service and communion in community.

Landcare and environment

Landcare and environment care are managed by the local ranger groups which operate out of the Gunggandji Prescribed Body Corporate and the Gunggandji Mundingalby Yidinji Persons Prescribe Body Corporate.

Local Laws have been adopted by council. Officers are employed by Council and are responsible for ensuring compliance of legislation, including local laws, in relation to the environment and animal management.

Employment

Wugu Nyambil is the recognised agency, supported by council to deliver employment, training and job seeker participation.

Health

Council recognises Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service as the primary health service while Queensland Health is responsible for the Emergency Department. Council recognises the Queensland Ambulance Service who provide patient transport and emergency/paramedic response.

Housing

Council has management responsibility for social housing. Council employs a team of local housing officers who services tenants in accordance with their tenancy agreement.

Sport & Recreation

Council has responsibility for public spaces and local sports fields. Our parks and sports fields are managed by us with collaborative agreements in place with Wugu Nyambil to host activities and projects.

Jilara Oval Precinct is the home ground of the Yarrabah Seahawks Rugby League Football Club. Council is a proud supporter of rugby league in the region and the venue hosts fixture matches as part of the Cairns and District Rugby League.  Yarrabah Council works in partnerships with local sporting clubs (Yarrabah Seahawks, Senior/Junior Clubs and Yarrabah PCYC).

Council is committed to promoting active participation in the community through sport.

Arts & Culture

Yarrabah Cultural Arts and Precinct Centre operates within the grounds of the Menmuny Museum.

Visitors are welcome.  Art, pottery and artefacts are available at the Yarrabah Museum.

Voluntary Groups

Council recognises the Djunggal Elders Group, the Yarrabah Justice Group, local QFES & SES as the important voluntary groups within our community.

Legal. Justice and police.

Council recognises the Yarrabah Police as the local law enforcement agency.

Local courts are held at the Yarrabah Court house, within the Yarrabah Police Station. Justice services are provided to Yarrabah residents via Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Legal Service Queensland Ltd and the Yarrabah Justice Group.

Retail and small business

Yarrabah is serviced by the following retail and businesses in community:

• Yarrabah Supermarket
• Island and Cape Service Station
• Yarrabah Bakery
• YarrieCino
• Evelyns Convenient Shop
• Anglicare Shop and Takeaway.

Government services (State and Federal)

Yarrabah Council acknowledges the following Government Service providers with a permanent presence in community:

• Department Human Services / Centre
• Queensland Health
• Queensland Police
• Queensland Ambulance
• Queensland Education
• Department of Justices of Attorney General (Youth Justice)

Brass band and Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival

Ernest Gribble formed the first Yarrabah Brass Band in 1901. At this time it consisted of three cornets and one trombone. The missionaries taught the men and boys to play. By 1906 the band had 16 members made up of members from across Queensland, including Fraser Island.

The band played at church services and community concerts, marched in the Anzac Day parade and provided entertainment for visiting officials.

Yarrabah periodically hosts the Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival. This event showcases indigenous culture and local artists. A national performer is also invited to perform and the event is a drawcard for people within the region.

Council Chambers including Post Office

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council as part of the Works For Queensland funding program from the Queensland Government, identified a need to improve community access – especially for elders.

The stair within the council chambers was posing a major hurdle for our elders and community residents who have disability – this was particularly highlighted during the local protests about COVID Closures imposed in 2020 (Yarrabah was closed for 3 months).

The new ground level addition to the council chamber will have a larger meeting room. It will cater for the Mayor’s office and can cater for larger groups. The space will also be fit with WIFI and Ethernet connection – to align council meeting capabilities with the modern expectations.

The new space is due to open in late 2021.

Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct, including Menmuny Museum

The Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct was established in 2002 to provide facilities for local artists to strengthen art and cultural practice across weaving, painting and ceramics. Well known for its pottery, Yarrabah Arts Centre continues to produce outstanding work and increase its profile in the national and international Indigenous arts market, strengthening local economic development in support of Council’s long-term strategic planning.

Yarrabah’s first museum, the Menmuy Museum was built in 1996, dedicated to housing an archival collection revealing the traditions and impact of Christianity on the Yarrabah community.

The remnants of the mission times are an important collection gathered for the people, by the people. Some of the material in the collection was transferred from the Queensland Museum.

Menmuny Museum and Yarrabah Art Centre – keeping history, creating art, promoting culture.

Yarrabah Daycare

Yarrabah Daycare is a 42 place centre catering for ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Nursery: up to 2 years; Toddlers: 15 months to 3 years; Kindy: 3 to 5 years.

Fees are $45.00 per day and you may be eligible for CCS which can reduce your gap fee by 85%.
Yarrabah Daycare supplies nappies, Morning tea, Lunch and afternoon tea
Children are given an enrolment pack on enrolment.

All Educators are trained in Early Childhood Education and care and have CPR, First aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training.

Works and Infrastructure

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire council proudly manages the planning and operation of local works and infrastructure. The community is self sufficient and all services (except for electricity) are provided by council.

The Yarrabah Works Department is the key location for all of council works and infrastructure team members. The facilities are located at lot 186on Workshop Street.

Plans are underway to replace old and dilapidated buildings – we aim to build modern infrastructure that will support our commitment to safety and accountability.