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Pormpuraaw gives a warm welcome for AACAP 2021

10 August 2021
Community Pormpuraaw
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A group of dancers in grass skirts dancing on sand for a group of army soldiers wearing green fatigues.

The Pormpuraaw community on the Cape York Peninsula is set to receive a new independent living facility, alongside other infrastructure and training as part of the 46th Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP).

The Pormpuraaw community in Western Cape York Peninsula have wholeheartedly welcomed the arrival of 6th Brigade members from the 19th Chief Engineer Works and the 6th Engineer Support Regiment as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP). 

Pormpuraaw is the 46th remote indigenous community to host AACAP. The aim of the program is to improve infrastructure, health, living and economic conditions within remote Indigenous communities.

As part of this year’s AACAP there are several pledged construction works that will bring a welcome boost to the community.

These works include an independent living facility for Elders of the community, as well as a men’s shed and two lots of subdivided land for future building works. Army is also taking the opportunity to undertake other smaller tasks in the community including upgrading the football field and splash park.

But, it’s not just the Elders of Pormpuraaw that will reap the benefits of AACAP, with soldiers participating in weekly activities with students at Pormpuraaw State School.

These activities are designed to improve attendance as well as numeracy and literacy skills of the students. 

The children couldn’t be more thrilled to have the Army along. As part of the welcome ceremony school students presented soldiers with welcome care-packages, complete with hand-drawn cards expressing their appreciation and excitement. 

Hand-drawn cards by Porpuraaw State School students

The AACAP contingent also received a hearty introduction to life in Pormpuraaw during the local NAIDOC Week celebrations. The team joined the community celebrations, participating in the week-long youth summit during the school holidays, engaging in sporting and cultural activities with community members, and finishing the week with a kup murri.

This year’s program has been long awaited, following the postponement of the 2020 AACAP due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The four-month program acts as the major training block for the soldiers of the contingent, which is led by 19th Chief Engineer Works and 6th Engineer Support Regiment, and enabled by specialists drawn from 17th Sustainment Brigade and the 2nd Division and across Army. 

Find out more

The Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program is an initiative of the Australian Army and the National Indigenous Australians Agency. It aims  to improve infrastructure, health, living and economic conditions within remote Indigenous communities.

You can follow the program via the Army AACAP Facebook page.