Yirrkala Child Care - 2 Week Closure

April 29, 2025

29 April 2025

Yirrkala Child Care - 2 Week Closure

Due to repeated and ongoing break-ins at the Yirrkala Child Care Centre, East Arnhem Regional Council (EARC) has made the difficult and necessary decision to close the Centre for the next two weeks. The break-ins have caused significant and widespread damage to the building and children’s learning materials and equipment.


This decision is based on concerns about the safety of the children in our care and our staff members. EARC is aware of the operational and financial impacts this closure may have on families. However, EARC cannot ask its staff to bear the unacceptable burden of intrusion, disruption, distress, and personal safety.


EARC will continue to further increase security at the Yirrkala Child Care Centre. We plan to reopen the service to the Community on Wednesday, 14 May, after a thorough evaluation of the safety of the Centre. EARC will consider and advise further closures dependent on effective action to prevent ongoing break-ins.




Update: 13 May 2025

Yirrkala Child Care Centre - Extension of Closure


Due to repeated and ongoing break-ins at the Yirrkala Child Care Centre, East Arnhem Regional Council (EARC) has made the difficult and necessary decision to extend the closure of the Centre until Tuesday, 20 May. This is to carry out essential repairs, security upgrades and seek practical outcomes of engagement from families and the wider community to stop the reoccurring break-ins.


We plan to reopen the service to the community on Wednesday, 21 May. EARC will consider and advise of further developments as we make progress.


Thank you for your understanding.


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Yirrkala Child Care Centre - Community Meetings following break-ins On Monday (19, May 2025), East Arnhem Regional Council (EARC) gathered with children who have broken into the centre, their families, parents of children who attend the service, senior community members, and local staff at the Yirrkala Child Care Centre - to raise issues and seek practical outcomes about the ongoing break-ins, the most recent of which occurred on the weekend. There was meaningful interaction between everyone at the meeting including the children apologising to affected parents and Centre staff. Following this meeting and the completion of Centre repairs, we plan to reopen the service to the community from Wednesday, 21 May. Thank you to everyone who participated and gave feedback including Witiyana Marika and Gumurr Miwatj Councillor Marrpalawuy Marika. Next Community Meeting We will gather again on Friday, 23 May at 3pm for further discussions with the community, families, djamarrkuli (kids), senior leaders and EARC Youth Services team. We encourage everyone who has concerns to join us. We need families and community members to work together to gain real action to stop the break-ins, make good for harm done and ensure djamarrkuli get back on the right track.  Images: Witiyana Marika, EARC Gumurr Miwatj Councillor Marrpalawuy Marika and EARC CEO Dale Keehne.
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