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.