Aurukun, Queensland
Encyclopedia
Aurukun is an Indigenous community, situated approximately 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) south of Weipa
in far North Queensland
, Australia
. The town faces west to the Gulf of Carpentaria
, and during the wet season, roads are impassable.
In March 2008, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that standards of justice, education and child safety have collapsed in Aurukun, and that the local community justice group has called for children to be removed from the town for their own safety and wellbeing.
, Aurukun had a population of 1,043. with approximately 900 indigenous individuals who belong to five distinct tribal groups. The traditional language is predominantly Wik Mungkan
with a mixture of other dialects. English is taught in the school. Aurukun has a plethora of clan and tribal names. There are some twenty families from 13 tribal groups, which are split into two factions — the "Top end" and "Bottom end". Violent conflict between the two groups creates problems in the community on a regular basis.
The area is rich in bauxite
.
(known then as the Archer River
Mission Station) was established on 4 August 1904 for the Presbyterian Church of Australia
by the Reverend Arthur and Mrs Mary Richter, two Moravian missionaries and managed under the provisions of the Queensland
Aborigines Act. (Several of the current residents were taught by these missionaries and remember them well.) Aboriginal people were relocated from a large surrounding area, many against their will, to the mission settlement.
In 1978, the Queensland government decided to take over control of both the Aurukun and Mornington Island
Reserves. Both communities were against this and protested seeking the help of the Federal government.
After lengthy negotiations, legislation for self management of the two reserves was introduced into federal parliament and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Reserves and Communities Self Management) Act was passed on 7 April 1978.
Further negotiations took place between State and Federal Ministers and on 22 May 1978, the Local Government (Aboriginal Lands) Act came into force giving a 50 year lease to the Shire of Aurukun to be trustee for the land within the boundaries. Aurukun and Mornington Shire remain the only Aboriginal communities in Queensland constituted as local authorities.
With the coming of the missionaries, children were confined to dormitories to isolate them from the influence of their people. However many people remained outside the mission up until the 1950s, ensuring the culture remained strong.
In 1975 the community was placed under direct State government control. In 1978 the Aurukun people were given a 50-year lease on their land under the administration of the shire clerk and an elected Aboriginal Council.
Following the Wik
case the land has reverted to Native Title
held by the Wik people. The focal area of the Wik lies between the Archer
and Edward Rivers of Western Cape York Peninsula and inland to Coen
. Most Wik people still live in this triangle.
In 2007, nine Aurukun men received probation
and other light sentences after being found guilty of raping
a ten year old girl. The mild sentences received international condemnation and were the catalyst for a review of sexual abuse sentencing in Queensland indigenous communities.
(formerly FNQEB) through three generators supplying 240 volts 24 hours a day.
There are frequent power surges and interruptions.
Bushwalking, fishing and some camping are the dominant pursuits for tourists visiting. Visitors are required to apply for a permit from the Aurukun Shire Council prior to entering the community.
Possum Creek is a swimming hole 30 km West of the town.
Sandy Creek is a swimming hole 40 km from Possom Creek.
Emu Creek is a 4wd track 37 km to the old road turn off and then 80 km of Bush track.
Aurukun landing is 1.5 km from town and provides access to Archer River
(crocodile
s present)
Umban is a 4wd camping ground just under 2 hrs drive.
There is now no longer a veterinary presence at Aurukun, with Dr Michael Hindmarsh leaving the "Aurukun
Dog Program" late 2007.
Weipa, Queensland
Weipa is the largest town on the Gulf of Carpentaria coast of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Weipa had a population of 2,830; the largest community on Cape York Peninsula. It exists because of the enormous bauxite deposits along the coast...
in far North Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The town faces west to the Gulf of Carpentaria
Gulf of Carpentaria
The Gulf of Carpentaria is a large, shallow sea enclosed on three sides by northern Australia and bounded on the north by the Arafura Sea...
, and during the wet season, roads are impassable.
In March 2008, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that standards of justice, education and child safety have collapsed in Aurukun, and that the local community justice group has called for children to be removed from the town for their own safety and wellbeing.
Background
At the 2006 censusCensus in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Aurukun had a population of 1,043. with approximately 900 indigenous individuals who belong to five distinct tribal groups. The traditional language is predominantly Wik Mungkan
Wik languages
The Wik languages are a subdivision of the Paman languages consisting of sixteen languages, all spoken on the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia. This grouping was first proposed by R. M. W. Dixon...
with a mixture of other dialects. English is taught in the school. Aurukun has a plethora of clan and tribal names. There are some twenty families from 13 tribal groups, which are split into two factions — the "Top end" and "Bottom end". Violent conflict between the two groups creates problems in the community on a regular basis.
The area is rich in bauxite
Bauxite
Bauxite is an aluminium ore and is the main source of aluminium. This form of rock consists mostly of the minerals gibbsite Al3, boehmite γ-AlO, and diaspore α-AlO, in a mixture with the two iron oxides goethite and hematite, the clay mineral kaolinite, and small amounts of anatase TiO2...
.
History
The Aurukun MissionMission (Christian)
Christian missionary activities often involve sending individuals and groups , to foreign countries and to places in their own homeland. This has frequently involved not only evangelization , but also humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged...
(known then as the Archer River
Archer River
The Archer River is a major river of the Cape York Peninsula, Far North Queensland, Australia. It rises in the McIlwraith Range, traverses tropical savanna plains and wetlands, flowing through Piccaninny Plains Sanctuary and Mungkan Kandju National Park, and enters the Gulf of Carpentaria on the...
Mission Station) was established on 4 August 1904 for the Presbyterian Church of Australia
Presbyterian Church of Australia
The Presbyterian Church of Australia is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Australia. .-Beginnings:...
by the Reverend Arthur and Mrs Mary Richter, two Moravian missionaries and managed under the provisions of the Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
Aborigines Act. (Several of the current residents were taught by these missionaries and remember them well.) Aboriginal people were relocated from a large surrounding area, many against their will, to the mission settlement.
In 1978, the Queensland government decided to take over control of both the Aurukun and Mornington Island
Mornington Island
Mornington Island is the northern most of 22 islands that form the Wellesley Islands group. The island is located in the Gulf of Carpentaria at and is part of the Gulf Country region in the Australian state of Queensland. The Manowar and Rocky Islands Important Bird Area lies about 40 km to...
Reserves. Both communities were against this and protested seeking the help of the Federal government.
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
After lengthy negotiations, legislation for self management of the two reserves was introduced into federal parliament and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Reserves and Communities Self Management) Act was passed on 7 April 1978.
Further negotiations took place between State and Federal Ministers and on 22 May 1978, the Local Government (Aboriginal Lands) Act came into force giving a 50 year lease to the Shire of Aurukun to be trustee for the land within the boundaries. Aurukun and Mornington Shire remain the only Aboriginal communities in Queensland constituted as local authorities.
With the coming of the missionaries, children were confined to dormitories to isolate them from the influence of their people. However many people remained outside the mission up until the 1950s, ensuring the culture remained strong.
In 1975 the community was placed under direct State government control. In 1978 the Aurukun people were given a 50-year lease on their land under the administration of the shire clerk and an elected Aboriginal Council.
Following the Wik
Wik peoples
The Wik peoples are an Indigenous Australian group of people from an extensive zone on western Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, of several different language groups...
case the land has reverted to Native Title
Native title
Native title is the Australian version of the common law doctrine of aboriginal title.Native title is "the recognition by Australian law that some Indigenous people have rights and interests to their land that come from their traditional laws and customs"...
held by the Wik people. The focal area of the Wik lies between the Archer
Archer River
The Archer River is a major river of the Cape York Peninsula, Far North Queensland, Australia. It rises in the McIlwraith Range, traverses tropical savanna plains and wetlands, flowing through Piccaninny Plains Sanctuary and Mungkan Kandju National Park, and enters the Gulf of Carpentaria on the...
and Edward Rivers of Western Cape York Peninsula and inland to Coen
Coen, Queensland
Coen is a small inland town on the main road heading up the Cape York Peninsula in far northern Queensland, Australia. It is in the Cook Shire Local Government Area. At the 2006 census, Coen had a population of 253....
. Most Wik people still live in this triangle.
In 2007, nine Aurukun men received probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
and other light sentences after being found guilty of raping
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
a ten year old girl. The mild sentences received international condemnation and were the catalyst for a review of sexual abuse sentencing in Queensland indigenous communities.
Education
There is a preschool and State primary school which caters for students up to the conclusion of Year 10. Attendance rates have greatly increased due to a diligent and dedicated staff at Aurukun State School. TAFE college is offered for students in year 11 and 12 and older members of the community are encouraged to learn about small engines. Aboriginal and Torres Strait children account for 99% of classes. Visits by other training specialists include sewing, restaurant training and cooking.Electricity
Electricity is supplied by ErgonErgon (Australia)
Ergon is a corporation owned by the Government of Queensland, Australia. It supplies electricity to Queenslanders outside the metropolitan southeast through a distribution network and retail activities....
(formerly FNQEB) through three generators supplying 240 volts 24 hours a day.
There are frequent power surges and interruptions.
Water
There is town water and water tank fed by many bores throughout the town. There are frequent interruptions.Recreation
There is a new saltwater chlorinated swimming pool and a new large basketball hall / recreational centre. There are outdoor basketball courts and a rugby field. Aurukun participates in football carnivals and softball with other communities in the Cape region every couple of months.Bushwalking, fishing and some camping are the dominant pursuits for tourists visiting. Visitors are required to apply for a permit from the Aurukun Shire Council prior to entering the community.
Possum Creek is a swimming hole 30 km West of the town.
Sandy Creek is a swimming hole 40 km from Possom Creek.
Emu Creek is a 4wd track 37 km to the old road turn off and then 80 km of Bush track.
Aurukun landing is 1.5 km from town and provides access to Archer River
Archer River
The Archer River is a major river of the Cape York Peninsula, Far North Queensland, Australia. It rises in the McIlwraith Range, traverses tropical savanna plains and wetlands, flowing through Piccaninny Plains Sanctuary and Mungkan Kandju National Park, and enters the Gulf of Carpentaria on the...
(crocodile
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
s present)
Umban is a 4wd camping ground just under 2 hrs drive.
Medical
The Aurukun Primary Health Care Centre is run by Queensland Health, with five Remote Area Nurses based permanently in Aurukun. RFDS doctors conduct clinics three days each week, with other visiting specialists regularly conducting outreach clinics. Emergencies are flown to Cairns by the RFDS. The clinic is open 8-5 365 days a year, with nurses covering after hours for emergencies.There is now no longer a veterinary presence at Aurukun, with Dr Michael Hindmarsh leaving the "Aurukun
Dog Program" late 2007.