About Us

GURRUMBILBARRA MIDHA THITHUYAL - TOWNSVILLE BLACK STARS

"GURRUMBILBARRA" is the traditional name of the TOWNSVILLE area in the Wulgurukaba language, "MIDHA" is the Bindal Birri Gubba language word for BLACK and "THITHUYAL" meaning STARS in the Kala Lagaw Ya language of the western Torres Strait Islands.


Townsville Black Stars RL (formally Townsville Walkabouts U15's) hailing from North Queensland we are also affiliated with 2 of the oldest continuing North Queensland All Blacks clubs, Archie Smallwood Cannonball Memorial team and Townsville Walkabouts team. This junior Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander representative team has been participating in the Queensland Murri Carnival (QMC) since 2015 and with great success, through out the seasons our teams have produced many players selected in the QRL QLD Murri Team, touring places like New Zealand and Fiji and playing inter-state matches against the NSW Koori Team.


This rugby league team was created by a group of passionate rugby league enthusiast that have warm hearts for their people and community, and there was a point a few years ago within a three-month period, four young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men from our community tragically took their own lives, and unfortunately Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander youth are still choosing to suicide.


It's through the Leadership & Resilience Program participants of Townsville Black Stars Rugby League can connect with family, community members and services whilst engaging in activities that focus on Cultural Identity, Health & Well-Being, Education & Employability and Healthy Relationships the participants are gathered in a space to connect with Cultural Leaders, service providers that specialise in Youth Mental Health and Youth Alcohol and Other Drugs Outreach Services, and engage with local consultants to share tips on how build healthy and strong family, friendships and/or professional relationships. It is through these activities our aim is to build leadership and resilience. Rugby League and access to the Queensland Murri Carnival is the hook that reels Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander male youth aged 14-15 to engage and participate in the Leadership & Resilience Program, QMC encourages all players to have a 715 Health Check and have a school attendance of at least 90%, because of this Townsville Black Stars players individually become more aware and responsible for their health & well-being with their Medical Practitioners and work towards achieving high rate of school attendance. It is our aim through participation in these activities individual resilience and leadership is strengthen to choose and live a healthier and positive lifestyle.


Townsville Black Stars committee has worked hard to established and maintain strategic community & professional partnerships to collaborate in driving change within our community and providing support to young people in keeping on track throughout their journey's and we especially thank our partners; The Salvation Army, Murri Rugby League, Bindal Traditional Owner Group, Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner Group, Townsville Aboriginal Islander Health Services (TAIHS), Deadly Choices, Althea Projects and Head Space, our volunteers and all the player participants and their families.