Mount Isa Police will construct a yarning circle at the station to build relationships and engagement with the community in a culturally safe way.
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Mount Isa Police were successful in obtaining a RADF grant from Mount Isa CIty Council for $9383 to construct the yarning circle to improve informal processes at the station.
Acting Inspector Mount Isa District Patrol Group Renee Hanrahan said she saw the Council grant as an opportunity to install the yarning circle in front of the station and provide a less formal opportunity to engage with clients and partner agencies.
"At the front of the station we have a grassed area where the tree is that is under-utilised," Act Insp Hanrahan said.
"There is a flat area that we will install a four metre diameter circle for a traditional yarning circle to provide seating for a small group or up to 10 or 12 persons.
"Sometimes the discussions we are having don't need a formalised area so we hope to use this area to capitalise that. We hope by reducing formality that it encourages engagement and builds relationships with the community."
Act Insp Hanrahan said yarning was an inclusive and indigenous way to communicate.
"During my role as Officer in Charge I was looking to capitalise on opportunities we have a lot of indigenous partner agencies and clients," she said.
"Yarning is a very inclusive and indigenous way to communicate and a culturally safe way that can strengthen relationships, and that's what we are trying to do.
"The nice aspect of the area is that it will incorporate some indigenous artwork from Kalkadoon artist Chern'ee Sutton, which will be located on some totem poles. These will have a number of values displayed on them that we are trying to reinforce through the use of this space."
Works on the yarning circle are set to be complete by mid-2021.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
