Overview
Aurukun is situated in the Western Region of Cape York. It is one of the larger communities in the Cape with approximately 1200 people. Aurukun was established as as a Presbyterian mission in 1904. Much earlier the coastal people played a role in preventing the Dutch explorers of the seventeenth century from landing at Cape Keerweer. The Cape takes its name from a Dutch word meaning to "turn back". This was because hundreds of armed warriors engaged in skirmishes that forced the Dutch to retreat.
In 1978, the Queensland Government decided to take over control of both Aurukun and Mornington Island reserves. Both communities were against this and protested seeking the help of the Commonwealth 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. On the same day, the Queensland Government revoked the two reserves which meant that neither the Queensland Act or the new Commonwealth legislation applied to the area any longer.
Health Action Team
Aurukun have just restablished the Aurukun Health Action Team as of August 2008 with a membership of 10 people. The Health Action team are also the "Advisory Group" for the Aurukun Well-Being Centre. As a group they have attended their first Regional Health Action Team forums with the HATs from Kownayama, Coen, Lockhart River and Pormpuraaw. The 2 day Training Session that was attended included the following topics: Good Governance Building and Holding, effective volunteer community committees and Community Development.
The Health Action Team members are:
- Mr. Derek Walpo (Chairperson)
- Mr. Douglas Alhers (Deputy Chair) (ITEC)
- Ms. Rita Pootchemunka (Secretary) (HACC)
- Mr. Ben Upton (CHALCO)
- Ms. Phyllis Yunkaporta (Counselor)
- Ms. Amelia Woolla (Justice Group)
- Ms. Anna Woolla (Daycare)
- Ms. Joylene Keeple (Store)
- Ms. Muriel Peemuggiwa (Justice Group)
- Ms. Delma Peemuggiwa (Store)
- Mr. Perry Yunkaporta (Health Worker)
- Doris Pootchemunka
For more information, please contact Derek Walpo on;
Phone: (07) 4060 6133
Fax: (07) 4060 6163
Address: C/- Post Office - AURUKUN QLD 4874