hopevale

Today we head to Hopevale.

Hopevale is an Aboriginal community about 46 kms north-west of Cooktown.

We are fortunate to be connected to the Bowen family in this community through our late great brother-in-law Peter Malcolm.

Peter Malcolm was one of life's adventurers in every sense of the word, never shying away from challenge whether it was flying a helicopter in Antarctica or finding means to sail Pelican a 63ft catamaran to Hopevale to take the community out on to the sea, Pete worked tirelessly to make it happen.

How the Bowen family and Peter came to be connected, and for Pelican to make the trip is a story of great loss and sadness, but also one of hope and healing. You can read more about that here.

My family and I are traveling to Hopevale so that my husband Pete can continue work with the Elders and community leaders on the project Culture is Life, aimed at ending the alarming incidence of self-harm and youth suicide in Indigenous communities through Elders led healing. You can sign a petition to support Elders led healing at Be Part of the Healing.

I will have no internet access while we are on this part of our journey so I will 'see' you back in here in a week or so with stories from this time that will no doubt be a mix of emotions.

Thanks for reading xx

ps. I had this lovely series of photographs to go with this post but my card reader decided not to work and I couldn't upload them, so I am sorry about that! I will sort it out asap. Ah life on the road!