Injinoo councillor latest role for former Augustinian monk, parliamentarian and cheesemaker David Byrne

Self-described "73-year-old white guy" and "major nightclub dancer" David Byrne 's journey to becoming the local councillor of a far-flung Aboriginal community is as eventful as his first trip there.

It is the latest addition to a diverse CV which includes Augustinian monk, parliamentarian and cheesemaker."It's just absolutely what I want to do and it's what the people want me to do.Born in Sydney in 1951, Cr Byrne joined the seminary when he was 17 and was an Augustinian monk for five years. "I thought, 'Whilst I was a member of parliament, people were living in these circumstances,'" he said.Cr Byrne said he "just sort of melded into the community", helping out around the village and learning the local language, Cape York creole.He stayed for seven years, helping the council buy its first tractor and other plant equipment."What this community achieved was absolutely astounding," he said.

"They took the sprinkler off the football oval, they took all the machinery, all the equipment, didn't even leave a screwdriver for people to use," Cr Byrne said. When asked why he ran for council instead of giving the opportunity to an Aboriginal person, Cr Byrne said he was uniquely placed to help.

Injinoo Aboriginal Council David Byrne Injinoo Cowal Creek Remote Communities Outback Australia Indigenous Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Punk Monk Indigenous Community

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