Beer at indigenous rodeo a sign of change

At 24, Lyle Murgha has never been able to do what many of us take for granted - buy a cold beer in his home town.

That's because he lives in Yarrabah, an indigenous community near Cairns where alcohol restrictions apply.

"I really see no point in it (the restrictions) because we're right next to Cairns where all the grog is," Mr Murgha told AAP.

"It's like they're just trying to find a reason to lock us up."

Last weekend, Mr Murgha was able to enjoy his first cold beer at a bar at the Yarrabah Rodeo after a temporary liquor licence was granted so mid-strength drinks could be served.

"I'm really happy we get to have a drink... this is the first time," said Mr Murgha, who has in the past been fined for alcohol possession.

He was among a small group of mainly men gathered at the makeshift pub on the Yarrabah stadium grounds. They sipped on rum and cola and beer in the hot sun as they watched stockmen being thrashed around on bucking bulls.

Most of the 1500 who attended, including many local children, tourists and cowboys from further north, snacked on steak burgers and hot chips from the packed bleachers.

Mayor Errol Neal says it's the first time in six years residents have been able to buy beer in the community which used to have its own bar.

Other events where alcohol is sold are planned as the community moves towards scrapping or changing alcohol management plans (AMPs).

"We want to eventually try and lift the ban so we're promoting responsible drinking," Mr Neal told AAP.

"We have the same right as anyone else to have a beer on our back porch but it's something we're treading very carefully on."

The council is taking a "slowly does it" approach and any changes will be put to the community.

Mr Neal says the rodeo was a success for many reasons, with police reporting no arrests at the event.

AMPs are being reviewed in 19 Queensland communities with residents being asked whether they want to ditch them and, if so, how they will maintain public safety and keep school attendance up.

Mr Neal says one of the best ways to curb drinking in the community is to create jobs for the 60 to 80 per cent of working age locals who are unemployed.

Last weekend's rodeo, the first in Yarrabah for 50 years, not only brought the community of about 4000 together but was also an opportunity for budding stockmen to learn new skills and apply for jobs.

Recruiters and training agencies had stalls at the event, enticing residents to register their interest for work on cattle stations across the state.

Yarrabah hosted its first rodeo in the 1930s, although Mr Neal couldn't say why there was a five decade long break between shows.

He says many indigenous stockmen hail from Yarrabah and today local children are still regularly spotted riding horses through the small picturesque seaside community.

"Everyday of the week they love getting on a horse and go bush and do a bit of hunting.

"There are other ways to educate" besides being in a classroom, he said.

Mr Murgha says there has been a noticeable drop in domestic violence since alcohol restrictions were imposed and he's hopeful residents are responsible enough for a bar to reopen in the community.

"We want to socialise with family and friends and meet some new people," he said.