Over the next six months it hopes to breathe new life and hope into Toomelah and Boggabilla on the border of NSW and Queensland, which is why they have been welcomed with open arms, according to Toomelah Elder Elaine Edwards.

“We need them, we are hoping they can make a difference to Toomelah, to our children,” Elaine said on last week’s “Welcome to country”.

Their role is even more vital, according to Toomelah Land Council CEO Carl McGrady. He believes the next six months could be Toomelah’s “last resort”. “There’s been a slow and steady decline of the village over the past  decade,” he said. For many reasons, but the main one? “Our mob need a reason to get up,” he said. To be succinct, they need hope and the Army may give them that and more.

The Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program has been running for 21 years.

It is a collaborative partnership between the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Army. 

More than 200 soldiers will be involved. They are qualified in the areas of health, building trades, logistics, catering and vehicle maintenance. The Federal Government will spend $7m while the Army will provide a similar value in skills and labour.

The program will deliver specified infrastructure including a new multi-purpose community facility; wastewater treatment system; new sporting facilities; vocational and skills training; and complementary health care services.

“Many Aboriginal communities need a helping hand, they need a hand up though, not  a hand out,” we were told  last week. It’s the hope of Elders like Elaine Edwards and Dawn Dennison that this “hand up” will be anything but a “last resort” and that it will shape Toomelah for generations to come.

“The warmth and energy from the children and the broader community is encouraging,” Exercise Saunders Contingent Commander, Major John Venz said.

“These children appreciate the soldiers are here to build community infrastructure, provide essential services such as water, power and sewerage and offer health and training services. This benefits them and their future,” he said.

“Likewise the soldiers get to experience a new culture while gaining training value in remote locations.”