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NRL Premiership trophy visits Apunipima
Apunipima Dr Mark Wenitong, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager Bernard David and health worker Neil Mayor with the trophy. Image supplied
by Kylie O’Brien 6 November 2015
T
he NQ Toyota Cowboys NRL Premiership Trophy made its way to Apunipima today as staff had the chance to get up close and personal with glory. Apunipima’s men’s health team (pictured) couldn’t resist a photo with the sought-after trophy as they are in full Movember swing, raising much needed funds for men’s health. Public Health Medical Advisor Dr Mark Wenitong said it was an honour to have the NQ Toyota Cowboys’ trophy visit Apunipima since the Cowboys’ joined Apunipima’s ice campaign earlier this year. The trophy was in Cairns today as part of its remote visit to parts of north Queensland. The prized possession will makes its way to
Coen, Lockhart River and Aurukun and Pormpuraaw before landing in the Torres Strait in early December and to Weipa and Hopevale. Dr Wenitong said he wasn’t missing out on getting a glimpse of the trophy. “We have a great rapport with the NQ Toyota Cowboys and since Johnathan Thurston came on board with our Say No to Ice campaign, our mob in community take note of the messages we send out to our mob,” Dr Wenitong said. “It was great for the trophy to come to Apunipima. We share the same health messages with the Cowboys and that is to raise awareness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to excel and be the best you can be. “We have many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NRL players who have shown this now, and are the best in the world at what they do, and it takes a healthy lifestyle,
as well as skill and motivation. You can’t be the best if you undermine yourself by using illicit drugs.” Cowboys’ Chief Executive Officer Greg Tonner said the club’s goal was to repay the NRL supporters during the past 20 years and to share its trophy success. “We want to make a real statement as a club that we understand our region and we want to start with the places that are most remote,” Mr Tonner said. “We’re a community-focussed club. When it comes to drug and ice awareness we’re very keen to support Apunipima to increase awareness. “We’ve always had diversity in our team and it’s a wonderful platform to use and there’s a huge community mindedness with our players and it is part of our culture. “You can’t win on the field unless you have the right culture on the field.”
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