Mapoon
Queensland
Mapoon beach
Mapoon is located in Queensland
Mapoon
Mapoon
Coordinates12°01′08″S 141°54′09″E / 12.0190°S 141.9025°E / -12.0190; 141.9025 (Mapoon (town centre))
Population317 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density0.04819/km2 (0.12480/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4874
Area6,578.7 km2 (2,540.1 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)
State electorate(s)Cook
Federal division(s)Leichhardt
Localities around Mapoon:
Gulf of Carpentaria Injinoo Jardine River
Gulf of Carpentaria Mapoon Shelburne
Mission River Mission River Wenlock

Mapoon is a coastal town in the Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon and a locality split between the Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon and the Shire of Cook in Queensland, Australia.[2][3][4] In the 2016 census, Mapoon had a population of 317 people.[1]

History

Pre-European settlement

Teppathiggi (also known Tepithiki and Teyepathiggi) is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Western Cape York Peninusla, Middle Dulcie River, Lower Batavia River, Ducie River, and Mapoon. The language region includes areas within the local government boundaries of Cook Shire Council.[5]

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.[6]

1891: Mission

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.[7] 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.

1950–2000

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 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 sq mi) were excised from the mission reserve.[8] 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.[9] They were then transported 200 kilometres (120 mi) by ship.[10] The police raid was ordered and overseen by Patrick Killoran, the then-director of Aboriginal Affairs in Queensland.[11] Aboriginal residents' houses were burnt to the ground in 1963 by Queensland Police.[12]

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. 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,[12] led by Cheryl Buchanan, was involved, and she also took Lionel Fogarty to meet the displaced residents.[13]

Mapoon State School opened on 30 January 1995.[14] On 1 January 2002, it became the Mapoon campus of Western Cape College.[14][15]

The 1996 census, the population of Mapoon was 139.

21st century

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.

At the 2006 census, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 239.[16]

At the 2011 census, the town of Mapoon recorded a population of 263 and 90% of the town's population was of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.[17]

Geography

Mapoon is on the western side of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia.[18]

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 (11°57′23″S 141°54′30″E / 11.9564°S 141.9083°E / -11.9564; 141.9083 (Cullen Point (Tullanaringa Point))),[19] creating a side bay of the Gulf called Port Musgrave (12°01′00″S 141°57′09″E / 12.0166°S 141.9525°E / -12.0166; 141.9525 (Port Musgrave)), which is probably named after Sir Anthony Musgrave, the Queensland Governor from 1883 to 1888.[20] Ducie River (12°03′06″S 142°01′14″E / 12.0516°S 142.0206°E / -12.0516; 142.0206 (Ducie River (mouth))) and Wenlock River (12°03′29″S 141°55′42″E / 12.0581°S 141.9283°E / -12.0581; 141.9283 (Wenlock River (mouth))) flow though the locality into Port Musgrave.[21][22]

Red Beach is a sandy strip facing Port Musgrave adjacent to the south side of the town (12°01′39″S 141°54′42″E / 12.0274°S 141.9116°E / -12.0274; 141.9116 (Red Beach)).[23] The government-built housing is spread out in bushland along Red Beach Road towards Cullen Point,[18] rather than being clustered together as in other Western Cape communities.

Flying Fox Island is a 3.3-hectare (8.2-acre) marine island (11°59′58″S 141°53′38″E / 11.9994°S 141.8940°E / -11.9994; 141.8940 (Flying Fox Island)) in the west of Port Musgrave close to the coastline north of the town.[24][25]

During the wet season from December to April the town is largely inaccessible except by air and sea.[26]

There is an airstrip 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of the town (12°03′00″S 141°54′23″E / 12.0499°S 141.9063°E / -12.0499; 141.9063 (airstrip)).[27]

The Alcan Weipa mining lease covers 1,376.29 square kilometres (500 sq mi) of the locality of Mapoon. It is a bauxite mine.[18] It includes the Myerfield Strip, an aircraft landing strip (12°27′04″S 141°59′44″E / 12.4512°S 141.9955°E / -12.4512; 141.9955 (Myerfield Strip)). The name Myerfield was proposed by Alcan Pty Ltd, which had built the airstrip.[28]

Demography

In the 2016 census, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 317 people.[1]

Climate

Old Mapoon, Queensland, Australia
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
421
 
 
33
23
 
 
411
 
 
33
23
 
 
308
 
 
33
22
 
 
95
 
 
33
22
 
 
19
 
 
31
21
 
 
4.2
 
 
30
19
 
 
2.7
 
 
30
18
 
 
1.1
 
 
31
18
 
 
4
 
 
32
19
 
 
11
 
 
34
21
 
 
64
 
 
35
22
 
 
229
 
 
35
23
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
17
 
 
91
73
 
 
16
 
 
91
73
 
 
12
 
 
91
72
 
 
3.7
 
 
91
71
 
 
0.7
 
 
89
69
 
 
0.2
 
 
87
66
 
 
0.1
 
 
87
65
 
 
0
 
 
87
65
 
 
0.2
 
 
90
67
 
 
0.4
 
 
93
69
 
 
2.5
 
 
95
71
 
 
9
 
 
94
73
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

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.

Climate data for Old Mapoon, Queensland, Australia (1893-1998 normals and extremes); 6 m AMSL
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 32.5
(90.5)		 33.0
(91.4)		 33.0
(91.4)		 32.8
(91.0)		 31.4
(88.5)		 30.4
(86.7)		 30.3
(86.5)		 30.6
(87.1)		 32.4
(90.3)		 34.0
(93.2)		 35.0
(95.0)		 34.7
(94.5)		 32.5
(90.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 27.5
(81.5)		 27.8
(82.0)		 27.6
(81.7)		 27.4
(81.3)		 26.0
(78.8)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.2
(75.6)		 24.4
(75.9)		 25.8
(78.4)		 27.4
(81.3)		 28.4
(83.1)		 28.6
(83.5)		 26.6
(80.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22.5
(72.5)		 22.5
(72.5)		 22.2
(72.0)		 21.9
(71.4)		 20.5
(68.9)		 18.8
(65.8)		 18.1
(64.6)		 18.1
(64.6)		 19.2
(66.6)		 20.7
(69.3)		 21.7
(71.1)		 22.5
(72.5)		 20.7
(69.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 421.1
(16.58)		 411.2
(16.19)		 308.4
(12.14)		 94.8
(3.73)		 18.7
(0.74)		 4.2
(0.17)		 2.7
(0.11)		 1.1
(0.04)		 4.0
(0.16)		 11.1
(0.44)		 63.8
(2.51)		 228.9
(9.01)		 1,570
(61.82)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 15.2 14.5 12.8 5.6 1.5 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4 1.1 4.3 9.4 66.2
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology (1893-1998 normals and extremes)[29]

Economy

There is a fishing business, providing mudcrabs to southern markets from the Port Musgrave Bay and Dulhunty and Wenlock rivers.

Education

Western Cape College is a primary (Early Childhood-6) school headquartered at Rocky Point, Weipa. Its campus in Mapoon is on Red Beach Road (12°00′58″S 141°54′00″E / 12.0161°S 141.8999°E / -12.0161; 141.8999 (Western Cape College - Mapoon)).[30][31]

Facilities

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 80 kilometres (50 mi) dirt road from the town of Weipa.

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.[32] The IKC includes computers and a library connection.

Attractions

Camping facilities near the town are found at Cullen Point and Janie Creek.[33] The area is known for excellent fishing and crabbing.

Alcohol Management Plan

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.[34] 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Mapoon (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "Mapoon – town (entry 20875)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  3. ↑ "Mapoon – locality in the Aboriginal Shire of Mapoon (entry 45896)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Mapoon – locality in the Shire of Cook (entry 46135)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  5. ↑ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Teppathiggi". Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  6. ↑ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Uradhi". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  7. ↑ Sutton, Mary-Jean Nancy (5 June 2015), 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, The University of Queensland, School of Social Science, p. 16, archived from the original on 30 January 2021, retrieved 30 January 2021
  8. ↑ Collings 1997.
  9. ↑ Bill Mason (17 November 1999). "Mapoon elder slams Lingard over 'straw hut' remarks". Green Left Weekly. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  10. ↑ Tony Koch (2 November 2010). "Notorious bureaucrat who oppressed Aborigines dies unlamented". The Australian. News Limited. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "Emperor for Life: Killoran's Queensland". RadioNational. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  12. 1 2 "Blacks fight for land". Tribune. No. 1905. New South Wales. 10 June 1975. p. 6. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ Fogarty, Lionel (31 January 2019). "'The Rally Is Calling': Dashiell Moore Interviews Lionel Fogarty". Cordite Poetry Review (Interview). Interviewed by Moore, Dashiell. p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  15. ↑ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  16. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Mapoon (Mapoon Shire) (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  17. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Mapoon". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  18. 1 2 3 "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  19. ↑ "Cullen Point – mountain in Mapoon Aboriginal Shire (entry 8954)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  20. ↑ "Port Musgrave – port in Shire of Cook (entry 23654)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  21. ↑ "Ducie River – watercourse in the Cook Shire (entry 10656)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  22. ↑ "Wenlock River – watercourse in the Cook Shire (entry 36991)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  23. ↑ "Mountain ranges beaches and sea passages - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  24. ↑ "Marine islands - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  25. ↑ "Flying Fox Island – island (entry 12833)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  26. ↑ "Mapoon - Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships". Queensland Government - Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. Archived from the original on 25 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  27. ↑ "Heliports and landing grounds - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  28. ↑ "Myerfield Strip – landing area in Shire of Cook (entry 23717)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  29. ↑ "Old Mapoon, QLD Climate (1893-1998 normals and extremes)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  30. ↑ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  31. ↑ "Western Cape College - Mapoon". Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  32. ↑ This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Mapoon: from Ideas Box to IKC (8 November 2022) by Indigenous services published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 18 January 2023.
  33. ↑ "Mapoon". The State of Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  34. ↑ "Mapoon alcohol limits". Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.

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