Mapoon (also known as Marpuna)
- Location:
- Western Cape York, 90 km north of Weipa on the traditional lands of the Tjungundji people.
- Area:
- 550.1 square km
- Population:
- 262 - includes descendants of Mpakwithi, Taepithiggi, Thaynhakwith, Warrangku, Wimarangga and Yupungathi people (traditional owners), of Aboriginal people removed from the Gulf region under past government policies, and of South Sea Island people brought from Samoa, the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and the Solomon Islands.
History of settlement
Batavia River Mission (later renamed Mapoon) was established in 1891 by missionaries on behalf of the Presbyterian Church. The reserve was later extended south to the Mission River near Weipa. For the next thirty years, many mixed-descent children were removed from their families in the Gulf country and sent to Mapoon to be raised by the missionaries. South Sea Island people were also brought from Samoa, the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and the Solomon Islands to assist the missionaries establish agriculture, carpentry and other ventures. Some of their descendants, along with the descendants of Aboriginal people removed from the Gulf region, live in the Mapoon community today.
In 1954 church and government officials decided to close Mapoon and evacuate the residents to Weipa or elsewhere. Many people were relocated to Hidden Valley near Bamaga in 1961 and by mid-1962 nearly 100 people had moved to what became known as New Mapoon. However in November 1963 the government removed the traditional owners’ leaders to Red Island Point (now Seisia) to be settled at New Mapoon. Some of their houses at Mapoon were burnt to the ground to prevent their return and within six months all remaining residents had left Mapoon.
In 1974 several families returned and ten years later the Marpuna Community Aboriginal Corporation was established. The Marpuna Corporation gradually built up the community at Rugapayn (Red Beach) to a stage where people were able to resettle permanently and government recognition followed.
Mapoon’s community services include: primary health care centre, a home and community care service, and college campus to year 6. Law and order is supported by police stationed in Weipa and a Mapoon community justice group. Two police officers will be stationed in Mapoon in the near future. State Government funding also supports an early childhood centre, counselling and support services, and domestic violence prevention and justice programs.
Last updated: 15 July 2008.