Palm Island
- Location:
- Palm Island is the largest of 16 islands in the Palm Island Group, 70 km northeast of Townsville.
- Area:
- 70.9 square km (includes one outstation permanently occupied).
- Population:
- 2,165 - comprises two clan groups, Manbarra (traditional owners) and the larger group Bwgcolman, which incorporates all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait families/clans.
History of settlement
The Palm Island settlement was initially established in 1918 after the Hull River settlement near Tully was destroyed by a cyclone. Palm Island was a penal community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from other parts of Queensland were forcibly sent. A leper colony was located on nearby Fantome Island. In 1957 Palm Islanders striked over working and living conditions resulting in several men being expelled from the island.
An elected Aboriginal Council started to manage the affairs of the community under the Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984 and a Deed of Grant in Trust was enacted in October 1986.
Palm Island’s community services include the Joyce Palmer Medical Service (Hospital), ambulance service, women’s centre, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre, Community Development Employment Program (CDEP), community school and senior campus to year 12, a catholic primary school and TAFE. Law and order is supported by a police presence of 16 officers and four Police Liaison Officers, a probation and parole service and community justice group. State Government funding provides emergency support and accommodation, a cell-watch program, child care services and activities for young people. The Palm Island Community Company is a government-supported initiative to provide business services to non-government organisations, manage the delivery of a range of social services and provide business advice and support to the community.
Last updated: 15 July 2008.