Post by Robert Howard

The Alpurrurulam Rainbow Gateway Community Projects continue to go from strength to strength, with strong community support driving recent sporting oval upgrades. It’s hard to imagine this community was underwater just two months ago. Led by local Supervisor Leo Petrick, and in partnership with Barkly Regional Council, the community has delivered major improvements to change rooms, amenities, a new coaches’ box and grandstand—supported by NIAA funding and driven by local leadership. With the Alpurrurulam Bats entering the Mt Isa AFL competition in 2026, the community will be cheering from facilities that reflect pride, resilience and true local ownership. This is what happens when communities are listened to, and projects are led from the ground up. National Indigenous Australians Agency AFL - Australian Football League Gretl Turkich Ben O'Sullivan Colin Saltmere Katie Owens Shea Selsby Katherine Schneider The Alliance (National Indigenous Employment & Training Alliance) Barkly Regional Council Iain Faithful Jerome Pang Isabelle Hodges #CommunityLed #Alpurrurulam #LakeNash #IndigenousEmployment #RemoteCommunities #SportingInfastructure #StrongerTogether #NIAA #RAES