Support from the Governor of Queensland

Tiwi kids have been at Downlands for five terms. We thank you our donors, for your support in making this possible!

The Governor of Queensland wanted to acknowledge Downlands for their care and she wanted to encourage the Tiwi kids to persevere. Governor Bryce requested an invitation to visit Downlands

Vinnies flew the kid's grandfather Noel Puantulura and his daughter Eusebia down from the Tiwi Islands, because this project has been their inspiration. The Governor thanked them for their efforts.
It was arranged that Noel and Eusebia would meet with teachers and boarding house staff.

The rector Fr Mulrooney wanted Noel and Eusebia to be aware of normal day to day problems that arise, and he wanted the teachers to understand the massive adjustments required for bush aborigine kids in a sophisticated school like Downlands.

Downlands have other aboriginal students, but the Tiwis are the only ones who come from a traditional language and ceremony way of life.

The Governor was full of grace and and encouraged Noel and Eusebia to send an additional two kids in January 08 bringing the total to seven Tiwi kids.

There is a strange fulfillment in this program, for MSC priests went to Tiwi Islands in 1911 and founded Downlands 20 years later to recruit priests to serve the aborigines. Downlands is fulfilling this dream in a sweetly ironical way.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul continues to underwrite this project, providing the fares, the uniforms, the trips to hospital, and the sunday visits. Downlands, the Tiwi parents and Vinnies thanked the Governor for the support she brought!
If you can help fund this project, go to Vinnie's website: https://www.vinnies.org.au/show_appeal.cfm?table=appeals&parentid=0&id=43