Lockhart River

One of the most economically and socially disadvantaged communities in Australia

Lockhart River is a small and very remote Aboriginal community situated on the eastern coast of Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. It is the northernmost town on the east coast of Australia and is located approximately 800km north of Cairns. Lockhart River is accessed by a dirt road and the town often becomes only accessible by plane or boat in the wet season (December to May).

The town has a population of 695 and 90% of its residents are Aboriginal. It is one of the most economically and socially disadvantaged communities in Australia, with the town largely dependent on government and private funding for survival. Many of the residents are welfare dependent due to the lack of unskilled and semi-skilled available for locals; the town’s unemployment rate is more than three times the national average.

While the local school offers an alternative secondary program, most students must leave the community to attend high school in Cairns and other locations in Queensland. Many students do not complete Year 12 and the town has only one university graduate. 75% of their primary school students are hearing impaired, which impacts significantly on their learning.

Expanding outside Western Australia

Our Patron, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, is a Queensland native and she has always been keen for us to operate a site in her home state. She is also the Patron of the Puuya Foundation, which works to support and uplift the Lockhart River community. In 2014, Dame Quentin introduced us to Denise Hagan, the CEO of the Puuya Foundation and a relationship between us was formed. With the Puuya Foundation’s support we ran a successful pilot program at Lockhart State School in July 2015.

Lockhart State School (LSS) is a prep to Year 12 school with 120 enrolments. Their students are native speakers of the traditional language, Lockhart Language, and English is their second language. 97% of the school’s students are Aboriginal. Offerings at LSS include a broad curriculum focusing on literacy and numeracy, weekly cultural programs, an alternate secondary program to support the few students who do not attend boarding school and a strong behavioural philosophy based on respect.

A focus on early intervention

Unlike our other programs, our focus in Lockhart River is early intervention and the girls in Years 3-6 make up our target group. We also work with all students in pre-prep to Year 2, the town’s youth group and the mums and bubs group at the Kuunchi Kakana (families together) Centre.

We make four week-long visits to the school each year, with one visit organised per school term. A regular week in Lockhart River sees us undertaking at least 20 hours of program delivery and 6 hours of community engagement.

  • Rosemary PatersonDeputy Principal - Carnarvon Community College
    "The Girls from Oz instructors coach the girls to be happy, building their self-esteem and resilience using dance and singing as a tool. They interact in the most accepting and caring manner that students respond to. The girls know that Girls from Oz care about them as people first and foremost.”
  • Darryl DedmanFormer Principal - Halls Creek District High School
    “The self-assurance and poise that result from the g-oz experience are revealed in students’ increasing willingness to speak and perform at our assemblies and, I believe, deliver enhanced prospects for employment, education and community involvement in the future.”
  • Casey MulderTeacher - Halls Creek District High School
    “What growth we’ve seen in the girls and their ability to engage in this program. Loving their enthusiasm and the pride they’re taking in what they’re doing. G-oz is making a huge impact here”
  • Emily Alecg-oz participant - Halls Creek District High School
    “When I first started Girls from Oz I was a really shy kid. When they came I started building my confidence and came out of my shell.”
  • Chantele Weberg-oz participant - Carnarvon Community College
    "I'm always so excited when I hear that Girls of Oz is coming. They don't just target one specific thing, it's not just about singing. It's about dancing, acting and all that type of stuff…It brings people out of their comfort zone."
  • Michael HendersonPrincipal - Carnarvon Community College
    "The value to our school by having g-oz come in to work with our girls is a crucial factor if we are to continue to increase and sustain the attendance and engagement of our girls’ education until year 12.“