Overview
In 1915 Reverend N. Hay together with a surveyor JT Embley found what he thought was a creek on the upper reaches of the Embley River and he named it Weipa (pronounced Waypa) means "fighting ground" in the Anhathangayth language.Weipa Mission station was established to cater for those Aboriginal groups south of Mapoon. It was originally located at Spring Creek, 32 kilometres inland from the present site at Jessica Point. In 1932 the mission station was moved to the coast because of the exhaustion of the soil, the inability to control the white ant pests, the increasing incidence of malaria and the tortuous river channel for shipping.
In December 1957 the Queensland Government and Comalco signed an agreement which is set out in the Commonwealth Aluminum Corporation Pty Limited Agreements Act of 1957. Secured by this Act of Parliament, Comalco was able to develop the bauxite deposit.
In February 1966 the Queensland Government took control of the mission and changed the settlement's name to Weipa South. On the 27th October 1988 pursuant to section 334 of the Land Act 1962, land was assigned to the Council under the Deed of Grant in Trust.
Health Action Team
This Health Action Team is currently in development.