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Aurukun

The local Aurukun barge takes supplies into Aurukun during the wet season

Location

Western Cape York, 900 km northwest of Cairns and 200 km south of Weipa. Road access is often closed during the wet season

Area

7375 square km (includes 15 outstations that are occupied on a casual basis during the dry season)

Population

1138, predominantly Wik (traditional owners) representing 17 tribal nations

Language

Wik Munkun is the first language of most Aurukun children. English is the other dominant language of the area. Some people are fluent in four or five local languages

Settlement history

Today's township is on the site of the original Aurukun Mission, established in 1904 by the Presbyterian Church of Australia (later the Uniting Church of Australia). The church managed the reserve under provisions of the Queensland Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act, 1897.

Aboriginal people were relocated from a large surrounding area to the mission settlement, many against their will.

In 1978, the Queensland Government decided to take control of both Aurukun and Mornington Island reserves. Both communities protested and asked for help from the Commonwealth Government.

After lengthy negotiations, legislation for self-management of the two reserves was introduced into Federal Parliament. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Reserves and Communities Self-Management) Act was passed on 7 April 1978.

On the same day, the Queensland Government revoked the two reserves. This meant that neither the Queensland Act nor the new Commonwealth legislation applied to the area.

Eventually state and federal ministers agreed local authorities would be created for the former reserves and the land leased to the newly created councils for 50 years.

On 22 May 1978 the Local Government (Aboriginal Lands) Act, constituted the Aurukun Shire Council and granted to it Aboriginal Land Lease No.1.

Aurukun is a pilot site for the Cape York Welfare Reform project.

Community services

Aurukun's community services include a health clinic, childhood centre, family support hub, women's shelter, library and schooling to Year 10.

Law and order is provided by a police presence of 8 to 10 officers, a community justice group and a Department of Corrective Services Parole and Probation service.

Other state government supported services include youth services, parenting education, childcare and family support programs, school holiday activities and local history projects.

Aurukun Local Partnership Project

The main goal of the Aurukun Local Partnership Project is to develop work readiness in the Aurukun community to support community in finding job and small business opportunities within the region. It does this through community improvement projects where locals can get real job experience and on the job training.

The project also supports a range of activities in the local community.

The project is funded by both the Queensland and Australian Governments.

More information

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Last reviewed: 13 November 2009