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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed] 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]
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.
Demographics
In the 2006 census, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 239.[16]
In 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]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 317 people.[18]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Mapoon had a population of 469 people.[1]
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
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.[citation needed]
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.[33] The IKC includes computers and a library connection.
Attractions
Camping facilities near the town are found at Cullen Point and Janie Creek.[34] The area is known for excellent fishing and crabbing.[citation needed]
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.[35] 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]
^ ab"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.
^"Mapoon". The State of Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
^"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.
