Sam Reuben
CRANBROOK, TOWNSVILLE.
I am both of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decent. My father is from Darnley Island in the Torres Straits and my mother is from Daly River in the Northern Territory. I was born and raised in Townsville and have lived here for 33 years. I have seen Townsville go through many changes, some positive and some not so positive. In recent times I have seen some issues that have affected Townsville residents and can be harmful in to residents in the future.
This is why I have decided to run with Jenny Stirling's Community Voices team. The Community Voices team wants to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait people a voice inside the Councils decision making process for the city.
For the first time, because of the way the government is running this election to amalgamate Townsville and Thuringowa, we have the opportunity for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in to vote together instead of being broken up into individual wards. That means we have strength in numbers when we vote.
I completed all my schooling in Townsville:
- Senior Certificate through Ignatius Park College
- Bachelor of Adult Education University of Technology Sydney
- Associate Degree in Applied Science of Indigenous Community Management & Program Development Curtin University Perth
- Graduate of the Centrelink National Indigenous Scholarship
Whilst growing up, I participated in many sports, which included Cricket, Volleyball, Golf, Netball and Rugby League. I played with Centrals Tigers Rugby League Club for over 10 years. I have also coached in Rugby League and Touch Football at various levels in Townsville at several clubs. I have worked within the Government Departments for over 14 years and have specialised in areas of Welfare, Families, Unemployment and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.
I believe that my accomplishments, my knowledge of community life, my cultural heritage and my life experiences mean that I would be an asset to the whole community of Townsville as well as being able to give voice to the issues that concern the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Community.