Mapoon, Queensland#Facilities

Teppathiggi (also known Tepithiki and Teyepathiggi) is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Western Cape York Peninsula, Middle Dulcie River, Lower Batavia River, Ducie River, and Mapoon. The language region includes areas within the local government boundaries of Cook Shire Council.{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/127?embed=true|title=Teppathiggi|author=|date=|website=Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages map|access-date=5 February 2020}}

Uradhi (also known as Anggamudi, Ankamuti, Atampaya, Bawtjathi, and Lotiga) is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Western Cape York Peninsula. The traditional language region includes north of Mapoon and Duyfken Point and east of the coast strip to the north of Port Musgrave (Angkamuthi country) incorporating the mouth of the Ducie River, the lower reaches of the Dulhunty River and the upper reaches of the Skardon River in the north. Following the displacement of Indigenous people by British settlement, it was also spoken in the Northern Peninsula Area Region including the communities of New Mapoon, Injinoo and Cowal Creek.{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/135|title=Uradhi|author=|date=|website=Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map|access-date=5 February 2020}}

In 1891 the Moravian Church established a mission at Mapoon with the aim of providing education and health services to the Aboriginal people. It was their first mission in Cape York Peninsula and they established it at the request of the Presbyterian Church.{{Citation|author1=Sutton|first=Mary-Jean Nancy|title=Remembering the mother mission: exploring trauma, cultural heritage values and identity at Mapoon, a former mission village in Western Cape York, Queensland: Ph.D. thesis|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/213238610|volume=|page=16|publication-date=2015-06-05|publisher=The University of Queensland, School of Social Science|access-date=30 January 2021|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130063932/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/213238610|url-status=live}} By 1907, under the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act 1865 (Qld) where missions were registered as schools, it was operating as a community for local people.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

In the 1950s when bauxite was discovered on the Western Cape area, the Queensland Government passed legislation to help the interested companies Comalco and Alcan with the 'Comalco Act' (Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty Ltd Agreement Act 1957 (Qld)). As a consequence some {{convert|8000|sqkm}} were excised from the mission reserve.{{sfn|Collings|1997}} The government, together with Comalco determined to evict the residents off the mission, and they were moved forcibly by the Queensland police from Old Mapoon to New Mapoon on 15 November 1963. The closing of the Mission was explained publicly as a measure to 'rationalise services' for the Cape indigenous people by centralising them in the Bamaga area. In November 1963, people were forced from their homes by armed police.{{Cite news |url=http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/18860 |title=Mapoon elder slams Lingard over 'straw hut' remarks |author=Bill Mason |access-date=1 January 2013 |date=17 November 1999 |newspaper=Green Left Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409003629/https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/18860 |archive-date=9 April 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} They were then transported {{convert|200|km|mi}} by ship.{{Cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/notorious-bureaucrat-who-oppressed-aborigines-dies-unlamented/story-e6frg6nf-1225946346767 |title=Notorious bureaucrat who oppressed Aborigines dies unlamented |author=Tony Koch |access-date=1 January 2013 |date=2 November 2010 |newspaper=The Australian |publisher=News Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204181519/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/notorious-bureaucrat-who-oppressed-aborigines-dies-unlamented/story-e6frg6nf-1225946346767 |archive-date=4 February 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} The police raid was ordered and overseen by Patrick Killoran, the then-director of Aboriginal Affairs in Queensland.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/hindsight/emperor-for-life3a-killoran27s-queensland/4037300 |title=Emperor for Life: Killoran's Queensland |date=10 June 2012 |work=RadioNational |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=1 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104172740/http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/hindsight/emperor-for-life3a-killoran27s-queensland/4037300 |archive-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Aboriginal residents' houses were burnt to the ground in 1963 by Queensland Police.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236920821 |title=Blacks fight for land |newspaper=Tribune |issue=1905 |location=New South Wales |date=10 June 1975 |access-date=2 October 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218232706/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/236920821 |url-status=live }}

Many residents were unhappy at Bamaga, at one of the nearby communities now known as New Mapoon. Over the following years, many moved back to (Old) Mapoon and eventually the government provided new housing.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}} Mapoon became known as one of the places involved in the fight for Indigenous land rights in the 1970s, and seven families had moved back by 1975. The Black Resource Centre in Melbourne, led by Cheryl Buchanan, was involved, and she also took Lionel Fogarty to meet the displaced residents.{{cite interview| title=‘The Rally Is Calling’: Dashiell Moore Interviews Lionel Fogarty| first=Lionel| last=Fogarty| author-link=Lionel Fogarty| interviewer-first=Dashiell| interviewer-last=Moore| website=Cordite Poetry Review| date=31 January 2019| url=http://cordite.org.au/interviews/rally-moore-fogarty/| page=1| access-date=2 October 2022| archive-date=1 October 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001022726/http://cordite.org.au/interviews/rally-moore-fogarty/| url-status=live}}

Mapoon State School opened on 30 January 1995.{{Cite QldSchool|accessdate=18 April 2019}} On 1 January 2002, it became the Mapoon campus of Western Cape College.{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}

In 2000, the Mapoon Aboriginal community was formally recognised under Deed of Grant in Trust arrangements. The Mapoon Aboriginal Council administers the community affairs with government support.

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 239.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC36629|name=Mapoon (Mapoon Shire) (State Suburb)|accessdate=8 June 2011|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the town of Mapoon recorded a population of 263 and 90% of the town's population was of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=UCL322071|name=Mapoon|accessdate=1 January 2013|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 317 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31774|name=Mapoon (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 469 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31758|name=Mapoon (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

Mapoon is on the western side of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=27 December 2021}}

The town of Mapoon is on a peninsula that extends into the Gulf of Carpentaria with Cullen Point (also known as Tullanaringa Point) at its tip ({{coord|-11.9564|141.9083|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cullen Point (Tullanaringa Point)}}),{{cite QPN|8954|Cullen Point|mountain in Mapoon Aboriginal Shire|access-date=25 November 2020}} creating a side bay of the Gulf called Port Musgrave ({{coord|-12.0166|141.9525|type:waterbody_region:AU-QLD|name=Port Musgrave}}), which is probably named after Sir Anthony Musgrave, the Queensland Governor from 1883 to 1888.{{cite QPN|23654|Port Musgrave|port in Shire of Cook|accessdate=27 December 2021}} Ducie River ({{Coord|-12.0516|142.0206|type:river_region:AU-QLD|name=Ducie River (mouth)}}) and Wenlock River ({{Coord|-12.0581|141.9283|type:river_region:AU-QLD|name=Wenlock River (mouth)}}) flow though the locality into Port Musgrave.{{Cite QPN|10656|Ducie River|watercourse in the Cook Shire|access-date=27 December 2021}}{{Cite QPN|36991|Wenlock River|watercourse in the Cook Shire|access-date=27 December 2021}}

Red Beach is a sandy strip facing Port Musgrave adjacent to the south side of the town ({{coord|-12.0274|141.9116|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Red Beach}}).{{Cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Mountain ranges beaches and sea passages - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/1db1dfe1-ab2a-4405-9164-0a54c3b31dda|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125060730/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/1db1dfe1-ab2a-4405-9164-0a54c3b31dda|archive-date=25 November 2020|access-date=25 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}} The government-built housing is spread out in bushland along Red Beach Road towards Cullen Point, rather than being clustered together as in other Western Cape communities. {{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Flying Fox Island is a {{convert|3.3|ha|adj=on}} marine island ({{coord|-11.9994|141.8940|type:isle_region:AU-QLD|name=Flying Fox Island}}) in the west of Port Musgrave close to the coastline north of the town.{{Cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Marine islands - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/ffa00969-099d-4fd4-98f8-81e9aea26df6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125063021/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/ffa00969-099d-4fd4-98f8-81e9aea26df6|archive-date=25 November 2020|access-date=25 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{cite QPN|12833|Flying Fox Island|island|access-date=25 November 2020}}

During the wet season from December to April the town is largely inaccessible except by air and sea.{{Cite web|url=https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/publications-governance-resources/justice-resources/mapoon|title=Mapoon - Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships|website=Queensland Government - Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015259/https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/publications-governance-resources/justice-resources/mapoon|archive-date=25 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

There is an airstrip {{Convert|4|km}} south of the town ({{coord|-12.0499|141.9063|type:airport_region:AU-QLD|name=airstrip}}).{{Cite web|date=22 October 2020|title=Heliports and landing grounds - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/1646c12e-0c31-42d3-a156-9891b01e938a|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116140611/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/1646c12e-0c31-42d3-a156-9891b01e938a|archive-date=16 November 2020|access-date=3 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

The Alcan Weipa mining lease covers {{Convert|1376.29|km2||-2}} of the locality of Mapoon. It is a bauxite mine. It includes the Myerfield Strip, an aircraft landing strip ({{coord|-12.4512|141.9955|type:airport_region:AU-QLD|name=Myerfield Strip}}). The name Myerfield was proposed by Alcan Pty Ltd, which had built the airstrip.{{cite QPN|23717|Myerfield Strip|landing area in Shire of Cook|access-date=19 July 2021}}

{{climate chart

| Old Mapoon, Queensland, Australia

| 22.5 | 32.7 | 421.1

| 22.5 | 33.0 | 411.2

| 22.2 | 33.0 | 308.4

| 21.9 | 32.8 | 94.8

| 20.5 | 31.4 | 18.7

| 18.8 | 30.4 | 4.2

| 18.1 | 30.3 | 2.7

| 18.1 | 30.6 | 1.1

| 19.2 | 32.4 | 4.0

| 20.7 | 34.0 | 11.1

| 21.7 | 35.0 | 63.8

| 22.5 | 34.7 | 228.9

| units = metric

| float = right

| clear = both}}

Mapoon experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw, Trewartha: Awha), with hot conditions year-round. There is a shorter wet season from mid-November to April, and a longer dry season from May to mid-November.

{{Weather box

|location = Old Mapoon, Queensland, Australia (1893-1998 normals and extremes); 6 m AMSL

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = Yes

|Jan high C = 32.5

|Feb high C = 33.0

|Mar high C = 33.0

|Apr high C = 32.8

|May high C = 31.4

|Jun high C = 30.4

|Jul high C = 30.3

|Aug high C = 30.6

|Sep high C = 32.4

|Oct high C = 34.0

|Nov high C = 35.0

|Dec high C = 34.7

|Jan mean C = 27.5

|Feb mean C = 27.8

|Mar mean C = 27.6

|Apr mean C = 27.4

|May mean C = 26.0

|Jun mean C = 24.6

|Jul mean C = 24.2

|Aug mean C = 24.4

|Sep mean C = 25.8

|Oct mean C = 27.4

|Nov mean C = 28.4

|Dec mean C = 28.6

|Jan low C = 22.5

|Feb low C = 22.5

|Mar low C = 22.2

|Apr low C = 21.9

|May low C = 20.5

|Jun low C = 18.8

|Jul low C = 18.1

|Aug low C = 18.1

|Sep low C = 19.2

|Oct low C = 20.7

|Nov low C = 21.7

|Dec low C = 22.5

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 421.1

|Feb precipitation mm = 411.2

|Mar precipitation mm = 308.4

|Apr precipitation mm = 94.8

|May precipitation mm = 18.7

|Jun precipitation mm = 4.2

|Jul precipitation mm = 2.7

|Aug precipitation mm = 1.1

|Sep precipitation mm = 4.0

|Oct precipitation mm = 11.1

|Nov precipitation mm = 63.8

|Dec precipitation mm = 228.9

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 15.2

|Feb precipitation days = 14.5

|Mar precipitation days = 12.8

|Apr precipitation days = 5.6

|May precipitation days = 1.5

|Jun precipitation days = 0.6

|Jul precipitation days = 0.5

|Aug precipitation days = 0.3

|Sep precipitation days = 0.4

|Oct precipitation days = 1.1

|Nov precipitation days = 4.3

|Dec precipitation days = 9.4

|source 1 = Australian Bureau of Meteorology (1893-1998 normals and extremes){{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_027012_All.shtml |title=Old Mapoon, QLD Climate (1893-1998 normals and extremes) |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522093218/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_027012_All.shtml |url-status=live }}

}}

There is a fishing business, providing mudcrabs to southern markets from the Port Musgrave Bay and Dulhunty and Wenlock rivers.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Western Cape College is a primary (Early Childhood-6) school headquartered at Rocky Point, Weipa. Its campus in Mapoon is on Red Beach Road ({{coord|-12.0161|141.8999|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Western Cape College - Mapoon}}).{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|access-date=21 November 2018|publisher=Queensland Government|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018}}{{cite web|title=Western Cape College - Mapoon|url=https://www.westerncapecollege.eq.edu.au|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815053843/https://westerncapecollege.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}}

File:Boat ramp, Port of Skardon River, 2015.jpg

Presently the town has a primary school, nursing station, council office and small shop providing fuel and food. Local people are employed on the Council which as well as providing services for the local community in 2006 won the contract to provide road maintenance for the all-weather {{convert|80|km|mi}} dirt road from the town of Weipa.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

In cooperation between the council and the State Library of Queensland, the new Mapoon Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) was opened on Thursday, 18 August 2022, within the new Mapoon Cultural Centre.{{SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/mapoon-ideas-box-ikc|title=Mapoon: from Ideas Box to IKC|date=8 November 2022|authors=Indigenous services|access-date=18 January 2023}} The IKC includes computers and a library connection.

The Port of Skardon River was declared in February 2002. It has a barge ramp and is used for the export of bauxite. It is managed the Queensland Government-owned corporation Ports North.{{Cite web |title=Port of Skardon River |url=https://www.portsnorth.com.au/skardon-river/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=Ports North}} The port is approximately {{Convert|10|km}} upstream from the mouth of the Skardon River into the Gulf of Carpentaria ({{Coord|-11.7580|142.0707|name=Port of Skardon River}}).{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Road and rail; Railways; Railway stations; Ports |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=28 June 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite QPN|31053|Skardon River|watercourse in the Shire of Cook|access-date=28 June 2025}}{{Cite Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/11%C2%B045'28.8%22S+142%C2%B004'14.5%22E/@-11.7582524,142.0640091,1846m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d-11.758!4d142.0707?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYyMy4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D|access-date=28 June 2025|title=Port of Skardon River}}

Camping facilities near the town are found at Cullen Point and Janie Creek.{{cite web|title=Mapoon|url=http://www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus/profiles/CapeYork/CY_Mapoon.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503115646/http://www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus/profiles/CapeYork/CY_Mapoon.asp|archive-date=3 May 2012|access-date=1 January 2013|publisher=The State of Queensland|df=dmy-all}} The area is known for excellent fishing and crabbing.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

An alcohol management plan (AMP) exists in the community, with restrictions on the amount and type of liquor that may be carried on persons or vehicles in the area.{{cite web |url=http://www.datsima.qld.gov.au/atsis/government/programs-and-initiatives/alcohol-reforms/community-alcohol-limits/mapoon-alcohol-limits |title=Mapoon alcohol limits |date=4 November 2012 |publisher=Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs |access-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430042235/http://www.datsima.qld.gov.au/atsis/government/programs-and-initiatives/alcohol-reforms/community-alcohol-limits/mapoon-alcohol-limits |archive-date=30 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }} This AMP was formulated and requested by the majority of Elders within the community and passed by law by the Government of Queensland into section 168 of the Liquor Act 1992. It is enforced by the Queensland police based at Weipa.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite journal| title =The Wik: A History of Their 400 Year Struggle

|last= Collings |first=Neva

|year = 1997

|journal= Indigenous Law Bulletin

|volume = 4

|issue =1

|publisher=Australasian Legal Information Institute |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/1997/29.html

}}

{{commons category|Mapoon, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=https://www.omac.net.au|title=Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation}}
• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/mapoon-aboriginal-shire-council|publisher=University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places|title=Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council}}
• {{Cite web|title=Mapoon|url=https://www.qld.gov.au/firstnations/cultural-awareness-heritage-arts/community-histories/community-histories-m/community-histories-mapoon|website=Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community histories|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99294483402061 Mapoon oral histories 1992-2014], State Library of Queensland
• [https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/mapoon-ideas-box-ikc Mapoon: from Ideas Box to IKC], State Library of Queensland blog
• [https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/new-mapoon-ikc-making-history New Mapoon IKC: Making history], State Library of Queensland blog

{{Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon}}

{{Shire of Cook}}

{{Far North Queensland}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Australian Aboriginal missions

Category:Populated places in Far North Queensland

Category:Aboriginal communities in Queensland

Category:1963 in Australia

Category:Shire of Cook

Category:Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon

Category:Coastline of Queensland

Category:Localities in Queensland