Mapoon Aboriginal Mission Queensland

Mapoon Aboriginal Community is located at Port Musgrave, western Cape York in Queensland. A Presbyterian mission was established at Mapoon in 1891 with the aim of providing education and health services to the Aboriginal people. By 1907, under the Reformatories Act, it was operating as community for local people.

In the 1950s the discovery of bauxite on the Western Cape area saw mining leases for large areas given to Comalco and Alcan. The Mission was closed as the government of the day sought to rationalise services for the Cape indigenous people by centralising the services to the Bamaga area. People were moved there from Mapoon by ship and historical reports suggest that people were forced or tricked to board the barge. It is believed among the local people that the aboriginal residents' houses were burnt to the ground to prevent the residents returning, however other (govt) reports state some houses were burnt due to their dangerous and verminous condition. 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 and now the Mapoon Aboriginal Council administers the community affairs with government support.

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 excellent all-weather 80 km dirt road from the town of Weipa. There is also a productive fishing business, providing mudcrabs to southern markets from the Port Musgrave Bay and Dulhunty and Wenlock rivers.

The community differs from many other Cape communities in that the quality government built residences are spread out in bushland along Red Beach Road towards Cullen Point rather than being clustered together.

In 2000, the Mapoon Aboriginal community was formally recognised under Deed Of Grant In Trust arrangements. The 1996 census population of Mapoon was 139.

As of 2006 an "Alcohol Management Plan" exists in the community, with restrictions on the amount and type of liquor that may be carried on persons or vehicles in the area. This Plan was formulated and requested by the majority of Elders within the community and passed by law by the Government of Queensland into S.168 of the Liquor Act 1992. It is enforced by the Queensland Police based at Weipa.

Mapoon is a recognised tourist destination with excellent camping facilities at Cullen Point and Janie Creek. (Permit required from the Mapoon Council Office) The area is known for excellent fishing and crabbing. During the Wet season from December to April the Cape area is inaccessible except by air and sea.

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