Julie Luhrs
Oral Health Therapist, Cape York
"I work very hard but I also get rewarded for my efforts. Sometimes I feel physically exhausted but I love the leave that comes with the job".
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Location: 2,421km north west of Brisbane, 100km south of Weipa
Aurukun is a self-managed Indigenous community situated on the western coast of Cape York. Originally established as a mission in 1904, it is now one of the larger communities in the Cape with approximately 1200 people. Although isolated from major centres, Aurukun is a well-serviced and established community, offering spectacular scenery, excellent boating and fishing, and a relaxed lifestyle.
The modern Aurukun Primary Health Care Centre provides emergency and on call after hours, accident and emergency, child and adolescent health, women’s health, mental health, sexual health, chronic disease, environmental health and disease control, diabetes and nutritional health, alcohol and substance use and aged care services.
Visiting services to Aurukun include Royal Flying Doctor Services, child health, obstetrician and gynaecologist, occupational therapist, chest (thoracic) specialist, nutritionist/dietician, ophthalmologist, public health, environmental health, alcohol and drug and STD teams, sexual health, physician, paediatrician, mental health, dental, women's health, optometrist, Queensland ambulance service, family health and radiographer services.
Community health services available are antenatal clinics, dental, nutrition health visits, school/child health screening, women's health clinics, diabetic care and a chronic disease program.
As Aurukun is owned by traditional owners under the Local Government
(Aboriginal Lands) Act 1978, permission must be obtained from the Council for entry to all of the Aurukun Shire lands.
Due to Aurukun's hot humid climate, summer clothing is the way to dress.
Aurukun has strict alcohol limits in place. For more information about the alcohol restrictions of the Aurukun Shire, head to the
Department of Communities - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services website.
Wik Munkun is the first language of most Aurukun children. English is the other dominant language of the area. Some people are fluent in 4 or 5 traditional languages!
Services
Sporting & Recreation
Queensland Health facility address
Fast Facts
Other languages