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:
- 1,109.5 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.
History of settlement
The community was originally established in 1886 at Elim Beach as the Cape Bedford Mission by the Lutheran Church.
During World War II the German Lutheran missionaries were interned by the military and the population evacuated to southern communities such as Woorabinda.
In the ensuing eight years more than a quarter of the population died. More than 28 deaths were recorded from disease after the evacuation. 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 20km 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 one of the pilot sites for the Australian Government’s Welfare Reform project incorporated in Thudaan Nhilaa: New Road the proposed Local Indigenous Partnership Agreement, with a focus on child wellbeing and reducing welfare passivity. 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 upheld by two to four police officers and a community justice group.
State Government funding supports alcohol and substance demand reduction programs, women’s shelter, childcare, and recreation facilities. Planning is underway for an Arts Centre, Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Sporting complex and swimming pool, a 40 block housing development, community beautification and upgrading of Endeavour Road to all-weather access.
Last updated: 30 June 2008.