The community of Aurukun is located 75 kilometres south of Weipa on the west coast of Cape York. The main language group is Wik-Mungkan. The population is approximately 1100. The area inhabited by the Wik people extends between Archer and Edward Rivers and inland to Coen.

The Aurukun Mission (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. 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.

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.

Key Features and Activities:

• Aurukun was originally established as a Presbyterian mission in 1904.
• It came under the oversight of Calvary in 1990. 
• Its ministry includes Morning and Evening Services with about 100-150 people attending both, home visits, Kids Club twice a week, youth study group and members involved in community programs. 
• The Wik language and English are spoken.
• A kiosk helps resource the ministry.
  

Contact:

Minister: Rev. Ralph Peinkinna
Aurukun UCA
C/- Post Office
Aurukun QLD 4871

Fax: (07) 4060 6019
Manse Phone: 07 4060 6243
E-mail: laumua_k@yahoo.com.au
Mobile: 0427 156 990

Gordonvale is a regional town located 28 kilometres south of the city of Cairns, on the north east coast of Queensland.

Key Features and Activities

• Established in 1985 under the pastoral oversight of Uncle Bill Hollingsworth, his teaching continues to challenge the Fellowship members.
• Ministries include: Saturday night and Sunday Worship, Congregation prayers, Sunday school, After School Care and community Centre. 
• A particular outreach is the Living Waters Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation. It started in 1999 with 50 participants and now has 62. 
• Through its 11 small businesses a major emphasis is on training the participants to enable them to serve the community well. The desire to create responsive pathways for people is reflected in the Living Waters Mission Statement...
  

"We seek to make a difference for the better in the lives of Indigenous people by delivering services and providing employment, training and learning opportunities in a supportive, responsive and progressive environment based on the principles of empowerment and capacity building". Living waters will be a successful model of faith in action according to our Christian principles and will practice and promote community based Indigenous leadership."

Contact:

Eternal Life Fellowship
Community Chaplain: Mr. Darryl Tranby
Secretary: Ms. Roberta Stanley

72-74 Gordon St
Gordonvale, QLD 4865
PO Box 594
Gordonvale QLD 4865

Tel: (07) 4056 2977
Email: roberta.stanley@bigpond.com

Mapoon is a town of about 200 people located at Port Musgrave, western Cape York in Queensland. A Presbyterian mission was established at Mapoon in 1891 with the aim of providing education and health services to the Aboriginal people. By 1907, under the Reformatories Act, it was operating as community for local people.

In the 1950s the discovery of bauxite on the Western Cape area saw mining leases for large areas given to Comalco and Alcan. The Mission was closed as the government of the day sought to rationalise services for the Cape indigenous people by centralising the services to the Bamaga area. People were moved there from Mapoon by ship and historical reports suggest that people were forced or tricked to board the barge. It is believed among the local people that the aboriginal residents' houses were burnt to the ground to prevent the residents returning, however other (govt) reports state some houses were burnt due to their dangerous and verminous condition. Many residents were unhappy at Bamaga, at one of the nearby communities now known as New Mapoon. Over the following years, many moved back to (Old) Mapoon and eventually the government provided new housing and now the Mapoon Aboriginal Council administers the community affairs with government support.

Presently the town has a primary school, nursing station, council office and small shop providing fuel and food. Local people are employed on the Council which as well as providing services for the local community in 2006 won the contract to provide road maintenance for the excellent all-weather 80 km dirt road from the town of Weipa. There is also a productive fishing business, providing mudcrabs to southern markets from the Port Musgrave Bay and Dulhunty and Wenlock rivers.

Mapoon is a Tjungdundji word meaning "place where people fight on the sand-hills".

Key Features and Activities:

• Mapoon was established as Batavia River Mission in 1891 by the Moravian Missionaries on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. Within a few years the mission became known as Mapoon.
• Its Ministry is being re-established by a development worker, that has Sunday worship and a weekday worship, praise and prayer meeting, teaching of the children, home visitation, kids and children's activities run with local people, and the ongoing re-establishing of the ministry in the community. Long term there is a hope to rebuild a church in Mapoon.
  

Contact:

Ministry Development Worker: Mr. James Hughes
PO Box 213
Weipa, QLD 4874
Ph: (07) 4090 9047 (House)
Ph: (07) 4090 9129 (Daytime At Mapoon School)
E-Mail: ngayu@bigpond.com

Mornington Island is located in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The original people of Mornington Island are the Lardil. The population is approximately 1200 people. Following the establishment of the mission at Mornington Island families were brought from tribes on Mainland Australia and other islands were removed from their homes and brought to Mornington.

Key Features and Activities:

• Originally established in 1907 as a Presbyterian Mission it's ministry features weekly worship, prayer groups, weekly bible study, and men' fellowship group - "Gubadanga"
• A particular outreach of the congregation is through Werne Ngal Karan Aboriginal Corporation that operated the Post Office, Centrelink Agency and the Home and Community Care Program, including Meals on Wheels service.
  

Contact:

Dave Scott

Mornington Island UCA
Tel: (07) 4745 7388

Community Minister: Pastor Richard Roughsey
c/- Post office Gununa
Mornington Island QLD 4871 Church Office:
Phone: (07) 4745 7388
Office Fax: (07) 4745 7194
Manse Phone: (07) 4745 7385

Napranum is located a few kilometres southwest of Weipa on the western coast of Cape York. The main language group is Thainakuith. Napranum is home to around 800 Indigenous people who are descended from as many as 40 different groups from around Cape York.

The Protector of Aborigines at the time, Archibald Meston, protested against the establishment of the mission on the grounds that the people were healthy and could adequately sustain themselves. Despite this, the mission went ahead inland near York Downs station to avoid contact with luggers who were notorious for kidnapping Aboriginal people to exploit in their diving operations.

Very restrictive legislation was enacted by the state of Queensland in 1911, making the Protector the legal guardian of every Aborigine and half-caste child (until it was 21), and the right to confine (or expel) any such person within any reserve or Aboriginal institution, and the right to imprison any Aborigine or half-caste for 14 days if, in the Protector's judgement, they were guilty of neglect of duty, gross insubordination or wilful preaching of disobedience. It also gave powers to the police to confine Aborigines to reserves to "protect them from corruption". This latter power was given by Comalco in 1957 to justify the removal of Weipa Aborigines.[2]

In 1932 the community had to relocate to its present site, at Jessica Point, because of malaria. At this time most of the people were Awngthim but soon different tribes and clans were brought from Old Mapoon (when the people were forcibly removed and the settlement burnt down on 15 November, 1963) and other communities.

The meaning of Napranum is "meeting place".

Key Features and Activities:

• Napranum township had its origins as a Presbyterian Church Mission in 1898. The community as it is known today was previously been known as Weipa Mission Station and as Weipa South.
• Its' ministry features weekly worship, kids club, youth program, and the members involved in a range of community program, including the community justice groups. 
• Its' ministry has strong lay peoples involvement in all areas. 
• Its particular outreach is expressed through the Druamalon (Women's) Association. This ministry includes a women's shelter, programs aimed at preventing violence and promoting peace, family support, kids programs, sexual health workers, ‘Bring them Home' case workers, and the Community Justice Group.
  

Contact:

Rev. Saimoni Davui
St Barnabas UC
PO Box 165
Weipa Qld. 4874
Tel: (07) 4069 8106
Mobile: 0427 276 167
E-mail: saimonidavui@hotmail.com

Townsville is the largest Regional city outside of Brisbane, on the northeast coast of Queensland with a population of approximately 162,730. It is the largest tropical city in Australia.

The Townsville region was originally inhabited by Indigenous Australians, with the Wulgurukaba, Bindal, Girrugubba, Warakamai and Nawagi tribes being the most significant local groups. The Wulgurukaba and Bindal people have a claim to be the traditional owner of the Townsville city area.

Key Features and Activities:

• The Indigenous congregation was established in the late 1980s, and is characterized by a monthly a fellowship meal together. The congregation numbers about 9 families, with about 25 adults and 15 children regularly attending.
• A Sunday school has been proposed this year due to the growing numbers of children. The congregation has a weekly bible study; youth program and emergency relief visits to people's homes, and follows up pastoral issues with people. The congregation has a small enterprise hiring out 2 small buses, as a way of supporting the ministry. 

Contact:

Minister: Rev. Dennis Corowa
Contact Details:
4 Church Street West End
QLD 4810

Phone/Fax: (07) 4772 6840

The suburb of Zillmere is located on the North side of city of Brisbane, in southeast Queensland.

Key Features and Activities:

• The Ministry was established in the late 1970s with the Methodist Church, and has also had its base located in Paddington and Inala. Oversight for the ministry came to Congress in 1985.
• Zillmere's ministry includes a small and loyal congregation of 10-15 people, hospital and home visitation, and the operating of a second-hand clothing shop, that also operates as a contact point with local people. 
• Located on site with the church is a local Indigenous agency supporting youth.
  

Contact:

Rev Rodney Minniecon
Minister
385 Zillmere Road
Zillmere Q 4034

Manse
4 Karen Street
Aspley Q 4034

(07) 3263 4457 Ph
0417 752 844 Mob

(07) 3263 4457 Ph/Fax