Goodstart to partner with Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation to reopen centre on Horn Island

Jason Roberts

Sep 30, 2024

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Goodstart Early Learning will partner with the traditional owners of a block of land on Horn Island to seek Government funding to restart childcare services after a landmark land transfer was completed.

The Queensland Government has confirmed that the Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC) has been given the title deeds for a block of land at Wasaga under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991.

The land transfer means KNTAC now holds an inalienable freehold of the block and it is held in trust for the benefit of the Aboriginal people connected to that land.

The block is home to the island’s Ngurupai Kazil child care centre, which has been closed for several years, forcing families to travel to nearby Thursday Island via ferry to access childcare services.

Goodstart will be the preferred operator for the re-opened service and is working closely with the community to secure funding that will enable the doors to open again.

In addition to the title transfer, the Queensland Government is providing KNTAC $247,000 from the State Budget to ensure the building complies with modern safety standards.

“There will be a lot of happy elders, parents and children celebrating today because Horn Island (Ngurupai) has something great to look forward to for our families and we should all feel very proud of this wonderful achievement,” Kuarareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation Chair Eliziah Wasaga said.

“We wholeheartedly intend on reopening the Ngurupai Kazil Centre and providing critical early childhood care and education services to our community.”

“KNTAC is supported in this endeavour by a dynamic team of inspirational professionals and government departments who are working tirelessly with us to ensure we set the foundation to build a strong sustainable and thriving early learning service for the children and families of Horn Island (Ngurupai).”

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