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Hope Vale

Location

Southeast Cape York, 46km west of Cooktown and 367km north of Cairns. Road access may be cut during the wet season

Area

1109.5 square km (includes 33 outstations, most of which are occupied only in the dry season)

Population

856, includes 13 clan groups

Language

Hope Vale is home to several clan groups who mostly speak Guugu Yimidhirr and other related languages, as well as English

Settlement history

The Lutheran Church originally established the community in 1886 as the Cape Bedford Mission at Elim Beach.

During World War II the military interned the German Lutheran missionaries and the population evacuated to southern communities such as Woorabinda.

More than 28 deaths were recorded from disease after the evacuation. Over the next 8 years more than a quarter of the population died. In September 1949 Hope Vale was re-established as a Lutheran Mission and the first families returned in 1950.

Due to a lack of reliable water supplies at Elim, the community moved to its current site about 20 km inland.

In 1986 the community became the first to receive a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) and formed the Hope Vale Aboriginal Council.

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

Community services

Hope Vale's community services include a health clinic, environmental health support, child care centre, domestic violence centre and primary school.

Law and order is supported by up to 4 police officers and a community justice group.

State government funding supports alcohol and substance demand reduction programs, a women's shelter, Indigenous Knowledge Centre and childcare and recreation facilities. Planning is underway for an arts centre, sporting complex and swimming pool, a 40 block housing development, community beautification and upgrading of Endeavour Road to all-weather access.

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Last reviewed: 21 January 2009