Mossman Gorge Monitored access to the Mossman Gorge community due to COVID concerns, ongoing wet weather, and Sorry Business all impacted the community from January to June. There were also significant electricity outages and telecommunication connectivity issues during this period. Fighting amongst community members was also an issue. Despite these challenges, by the end of June, 363 community members had, at some point, signed up to one or more Opportunity Products to learn new skills and seek support. The vast majority (86 per cent) of members were signed up to MPower, which saw membership increase to 312. January to June recorded an impressive number of budgets being completed by MPower members, for purposes such as No Interest Loan Scheme applications and planning for upcoming bills. The majority of members visited the O-Hub during this period to utilise MPower’s self-service, which provides access to computers and telephones to undertake money management matters and build financial literacy. Encouragingly, 57 per cent of self-service usage is unassisted, which is the highest rate across all four communities illustrating that, over the years, consistent use of these facilities has resulted in members developing greater skills to manage money independently. A number of members also received targeted financial counselling support around superannuation, debts and deceased estates. A total of 14 new Mayi Market members signed up to the service between Mossman Gorge and Mossman township during the period. In all, a total of 31 customers purchased $17,382 worth of
Mossman Gorge participants, like Katrina Douglas, clocked up the kilometres as part of the Pama June Walking Challenge.
to collaborate with other service providers, including the FRC and Apunipima, to deliver holistic and case-managed support to mutual clients between January to June. In February, the O-Hub hosted the launch of the new Pama Platform with 17 Pama users signing up to the Platform on the day. The O-Hub kicked off its first Pama Challenge in June with 27 community members, aged from 16 to 58 years old,
fresh produce over the six months.
eagerly signing up to this three-month distance challenge
Mossman Gorge families continue to put their children’s
or run the furthest each month. Challenge Winner, Jasmine
educational needs first, with more than $35,000 spent from SET accounts, ensuring that children were fully prepared for the new school year. SET funds were also used to pay for school fees, vocational and extra-curricular schooling expenses. Fiftyfive per cent of unique donors also contribute to two or more trust accounts—the highest rate across all of the communities, which demonstrates that community members are willing to take responsibility for extended members of their families. The O-Hub has also been supporting the expansion of SET into Wujal Wujal where donors made the highest amount of purchases on essential school items within a six-month period. Outreach support to Wujal Wujal community members was also provided in respect of Homelands and Mayi Market. Following a number of break-ins by youth in the Mossman township at the beginning of the year, O-Hub staff worked
with monthly prizes awarded to those who could walk and/ Salam, tracked more than 100kms in June and is keen to participate in future challenges that promote both some healthy competition and healthy choices: “I really enjoyed competing against others. It kept me motivated to keep moving every day.” O-Hub staff attended and participated in a number of community events including the Mossman State Primary School Bookfair, National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week celebrations. In June, family leaders and Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Directors, with support from the Pama Futures Backbone team, came together to undertake a day of community priority planning and reflect on reform achievements since the last community plan was produced 21 years ago. Further needs analysis, household by household, and community campfire discussions are underway and will inform the Local Development Plan.
closely with families, youth and the Remote Alcohol Drug
With continued community involvement, we anticipate a
Interventions Outcomes Case Manager to secure spots for the
bright and rewarding time ahead for our members and the
children at boarding schools. The O-Hub has also continued
broader Mossman Gorge community.
Family Empowerment Report // January–June 2021
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