An Aboriginal owned and operated company dedicated to representing the voice of the Doomadgee community has been established after 15 years in the making.

Goonawoona Jungai Ltd, which is a community-controlled organisation, will play a role between governments and service providers in Doomadgee.

Gangalidda Traditional Owner and Goonawoona Jungai director Barry Walden, who has been championing the project, said it was a major milestone.

“Under this model, the voice of the First Nations people of the Doomadgee community, consistent with traditional cultural practices, will play the lead role in the design and delivery of services such as health, housing, disability, early childhood and youth justice,” he said.

Doomadgee has been thrust into the spotlight as a result of the inquest into the tragic deaths of three local women, who died of rheumatic heart disease.

“One of the key issues highlighted in the inquest was the lack of cultural practices in service delivery across the community,” Mr Walden said.

“Goonawoona Jungai will now be here to represent Doomadgee.”

He said the new body would work hard to ensure culture was always at the forefront of decisions.

“We will have a voice at the table when decisions about community are made and we will advocate on behalf of our people,” Mr Walden said.

“We know that when the right cultural processes are followed, we have better outcomes.”

Goonawoona Jungai will also play a crucial role in ensuring Doomadgee meets targets set out in the National Closing the Gap Agreement, after the state government endorsed the community as the state’s first site for place-based partnerships.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford said the name of the new Aboriginal company in the Gangalidda language captured the essence of the place-based program.

“I’m told Goonawoona means ‘the children’,’’ Mr Crawford said.

“And Jungai represents ‘cultural authority’ or ‘boss for country’.

“That’s the whole idea of this program. We want cultural leaders to talk for their country, talk for their people, identify their needs and aspirations, and take ownership of decision-making.’’

Goonawoona Jungai has been endorsed by Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council and mayor Jason Ned.

This article appeared in North West Weekly, 8 September 2022.