Mapoon is a part of Western Cape York Peninsula and is on the traditional lands of the Tjungundji people. It covers 1,839 square kilometres.
Mapoon is located over 860 kilometres from Cairns and 85 kilometres from Weipa. Access is usually via Weipa, but the partially sealed road is largely inaccessible during the wet season. Mapoon has an air strip that is used regularly by the Royal Flying Doctors.
Mapoon Mission was established under the name Batavia River Mission at Cullin Point in 1891 by the Presbyterians. Mapoon continued to be administered by the Presbyterian Church until 1963. In 1954, a policy decision was made to close Mapoon and evacuate the people to Weipa or other stations.
After the 1964 closure, former residents continued to lobby for the re-opening of their community. In 1974 several families returned and ten years later the Marpuna Community Aboriginal Corporation was established. In 1989 a DOGIT for ‘Aboriginal Reserve Purposes’ under the Land Act (Qld.), was handed over to the Mapoon people by the Queensland Government. The Mapoon Aboriginal Council was formed after elections in 2000.
Some of the traditional owner groups who eventually came to live at Mapoon included the Mpakwithi, Taepithiggi, Thaynhakwith, Warrangku, Wimarangga and Yupungathi people (MASC,2023). The Mapoon community is thriving and has a population of around 200 residents and is increasing. Mayor Aileen Addo was elected in 2012 and is the first female Mayor for Mapoon with extensive knowledge and history working in the health sector. Aileen is a former health worker with a keen sense of accountability and respect for culture. She was elected unanimously to the position and is intent on working with fellow community leaders to add her mark to the solid platform that is Mapoon Shire.
Photos thanks to Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council
© Western Cape Chamber of Commerce 2024
