But it’s not physics that connects him with Yarrabah, but his insights into human behaviour and personal growth that link him strongly with some of this community’s best men and women.
“Strive not to be of success, but rather to be of value,” is a quote attributed to Albert Einstein.
A simple statement, but so relevant when we sit down to review the contribution of many here in our community.
There are many who have been of great value to our community, and Gurriny Yealamucka has been blessed to have so many good workers dedicated to community and committed to improving the life and health of all community members.
Reverend Edward Murgha spent 14 years working with us, for community as a Life Promotion Officer. It’s a polite and positive position title, that hides a deeper and darker role.
A Life Promotion Officer works actively and tirelessly with two main goals in mind; the reduction of suicide and the support for family and friends of those impacted by suicide.
Edward’s value to community can never be understated, and I feel certain that he will feel a sense of embarrassment as he reads this short tribute to his career and contribution to our community.
But his value to all is his greatest success. Lives changed, saved, and families supported throughout a career spanning more than 40 years here in Yarrabah.
In 2010 Edward joined the Gurriny Yealamucka team, after almost a decade serving as a community police officer.
Remembering his time in this role, Edward witnessed the tremendous impact that suicide had in Yarrabah, “I saw a lot during that time with the Police, I saw how pressures affected our people and this experience shaped me and inspired me to go into the Church and also Gurriny Yealamucka.
“Back in the 80’s we had 3 to 4 funerals a week, due mainly to suicides. It was not easy, with so many people affected by suicide, the pressure was intense.”
From adversity and tragedy, change is inevitable. The change in Yarrabah was the drive for the establishment of a community-controlled health service, and a burning desire within a young Edward to step up and help his community.
When Edward joined the Gurriny Yealamucka team, it was a small, but passionately committed team. Mary Kyle and Edward worked tirelessly as Life Promotion Officers to support and protect their community.
“When I started it was twenty-four seven.
“We had so many suicide deaths and attempts, our program was what the community were looking for, someone working 24 hours 7 days a week, even weekends. I loved my job and my community.
“We had a small team Mary Kyle and me, and we were always on call, dealing with families as well as those who were unsuccessful in their attempt.
“It was not easy, with so many people affected by suicide, we were always working.”
Progress was difficult due to deep seated cultural and gender issues, but Edward refused to be defeated by these issues.
“Our people did not want to sit down and talk about what was affecting them. It was difficult, without the support and programs we have today, but back then we were still building our program and supports whilst dealing with a tremendous workload.
“Everyone thought it was a matter of toughening up and getting on with life, but it required much more.
“Our program was about being on call, sitting down with family and sufferers and supporting them. It was a fine line between intrusion and being a support for them.
“We would ask family, or their support person as to what they needed our how we could be of support.
“Many time it was just transport to appointments with doctors. This was a simple way to open conversation, on the way we were always having a yarn, what’s happening, weather, fishing, anything, it was a one-on-one yarn and that’s where we built the trust and opened communication.
“This was good way to build trust and confidence in one another.”
Although we have come along way with our Family Healing program, Edward still feels we have a lot more work to be done.
“We need a wider focus, geographically and community-wise, to go out and work with all community, where they are, and when they need.
“We are more visible today than we were when we started. People are more aware of what support there is, but the workload to still too large for the team.
“What we need today to help all community, is more employment opportunities for community, both inside Yarrabah and over the hill.
“In the 70’s we had the CDP (Community Development program). Yarrabah was really clean, everyone had a job, with less issues, and the effects were more than just a few extra dollars in pockets.
“People enjoyed going to work. People got up in the morning to go to work, we could share some of our troubles with our work mates. You were talking to one another about many of your issues.”
After 14 years working ceaselessly with his community and Gurriny Yealamucka, Reverend Edward called time on his formal service. Although the page has turned, the book has not ended. Reverend Edward still serves his community as a Crises Contact person, providing support and assistance to those who reach out looking for support.
“There’s still much to be done, we have so many issues here in Community, and we still need to do more to lift the men of community.
“I could see when I was growing up that the men in community were leading the way, but the last 20 or 30 years, I see the ladies are more involved and taking a greater role in community.
“I think the time is right for our men to take a more active and leading role.”
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