Murgon/ Cherbourg (Queensland)

Programme Design/ General Description

Edmund Rice Ministry (Murgon/Cherbourg) works in partnership with the Indigenous people of the Cherbourg and Murgon communities. The Ministry commenced in the late 1990’s in response to a series of invitations from the Indigenous Community for the Brothers to come to the Cherbourg/Murgon area to work with marginalised young people. The key underlying value for the Ministry is Reconciliation. The Christian Brothers have a long established partnership with the local Indigenous Youth Justice organisation (NGO), Cherbourg/Murgon Youth and Community Combined Action Association Inc. (YACCA).

For many years the Ministry had co-responsibility for the Annexe Education Programme which it helped establish in partnership with Cherbourg/Murgon YACCA and Murgon State High School (enrolling school). Since 2008, Education Queensland has undertaken full responsibility for the Annexe Programme. YACCA and the Edmund Rice Ministry continue to support the Annexe Programme especially by seeking to work with young people disconnected from education, family and Community and who are at risk with the Youth Justice system. The young people are helped to re-engage through enrolling at the Annexe Programme or other available options, and through targeted programmes and activities as well as personal and family support.

One Brother, Michael Hanley, has also, since 2001, been the full time Learning Support Teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Murgon which has an enrolment of about 60 Indigenous girls and boys out of a total of about 180 students. Volunteer Ministry Workers from the Edmund Rice Network, in addition to the Brothers, have been an integral part of the Ministry’s work and have made an important contribution to the goals of the Ministry and its partners over the last 12 years.

Aim of Programme

To assist young Indigenous people (aged 10 to 17 years old)of Cherbourg / Murgon to live meaningful lives through improved educational opportunities, reconnecting with family and community, control of drugs/alcohol, and gaining employment experience.

Target Group

Indigenous young people (secondary school age) of Cherbourg / Murgon who have long term disconnection from education, family and Community, especially those most at risk with the justice system.

Main Contact

Head of Ministry        Email                                                         Phone Contact           

Br Marty Sanderson    martinjsanderson@hotmail.com     07 4168 2838