In Pictures: Mining for the future

Unemployment hovers at around 80 per cent and the local school is one of the worst-performing in Queensland.

Boredom leads Aurukun children to play in a building site

Rubbish collection in Aurukun sometimes does not come for a fortnight

Tribal violence is part of everyday life and there are around 100 government agencies for a population of only 1,200

Wild dogs roam the streets in Aurukun after heavy rain

Playing video games on a sweltering day, there remains few activities for young people in the shire

Furniture in Aurukun can be hard to come by, with only one general store

Kids pass their time playing with bubble gum outside the general store

Most construction work is done by private contractors, flown in from out of town

Gina is from Aurukun and she wants to make a meaningful difference in her community - the Wik people - by providing skills and economic opportunities for them

Gina is fighting for a seat at the table with the big companies that are making a fortune from bauxite mines on tribal lands

Gina hopes to create a sustainable economy in Aurukun to give the youth a better future

Aboriginal elders have a deep understanding of the bush that they hope to pass down to the younger generation

School attendance in Aurukun has risen dramatically in recent years

Gina sometimes goes spear fishing not far from where she spent much of her childhood

The waters of the beautiful wetlands of Aurukun, close to Cape Tribulation, are full of jellyfish and crocodiles

Fresh fish and seafood, including Barramundi, it is a main part of the diet in Aurukun

Kids keep cool as the elders fish for Barramundi

Gina: "I believe that we can have change, have a better life for our children"