Kowanyama is a town and coastal locality in the Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama, Queensland, Australia.[2][3]
| Kowanyama Queensland | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 View down Ogimburngk St (from Gilbert St) | |||||||||||||||
  Kowanyama | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 15°28′47″S 141°44′31″E / 15.4796°S 141.7419°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 1,079 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.42734/km2 (1.1068/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4892 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 2,524.9 km2 (974.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Cook | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Leichhardt | ||||||||||||||
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It is the site of the former Mitchell River Mission, founded in 1916, after the nearby Trubanamen Mission (established not far away on Topsy Creek in 1905) was abandoned.
In the 2021 census, the locality of Kowanyama had a population of 1,079 people.[1]
Geography
editThe locality is on the Cape York Peninsula. It is bounded to the west by the Gulf of Carpentaria and to the north by the Coleman River (15°04′12″S 141°38′54″E / 15.0700°S 141.6483°E).[4][5]
The locality of Kowanyama (and the Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama which has the same boundaries) has a land area of 2,524.9 km2 (974.9 sq mi).[4]
The Mitchell River enters the locality from the west (Maramie) and exits to the north-west into the Gulf of Carpentaria. As the river approaches the Gulf, it splits into two watercourses around Wallaby Island (15°12′01″S 141°39′01″E / 15.2002°S 141.6502°E) with the southern branch retaining the name Mitchell River (with mouth 15°11′55″S 141°35′29″E / 15.1986°S 141.5914°E) and the northern branch called Mitchell River (North Arm) entering the gulf at 15°05′54″S 141°38′19″E / 15.0983°S 141.6386°E.[4][6][7][8]
The Aboriginal people who live in this community include people from the Kokominjena, Kokoberra and Kunjen groups of the Yir-Yoront people. In the Yir-Yoront language, Kowanyama means "The place of many waters".[citation needed]
The community is situated on the banks of the Magnificent Creek, a tributary of the Mitchell River, 20 kilometres (12 mi) inland from the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria.[citation needed]
Kowanyama is accessed by an all-weather airstrip, as well as unsealed roads in the dry season from Pormpuraaw to the north, Normanton to the south and Cairns to the east.[citation needed]
History
editKunjen (also known as Koko Wanggara, Ngundjan and Olkola) is a language of Western Cape York. The Kunjen language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of Kowanyama Community Council and Cook Shire Council.[9]
Kowanyama State School opened in January 1904.[10] Since the beginning of 2014, the school has also started to enrol students in a year 11 and 12 pathways program.[11]
In 1905, Trubanamen Mission was established inland on Topsy Creek, and Aboriginal peoples of the region were gradually drawn from their ancestral lands into the mission settlement. Later, in 1916, Mitchell River Mission was founded on the present site of Kowanyama and the Trubanamen site abandoned. Some people continued to live on their traditional lands, only moving into Kowanyama in the 1940s.[12]
In 1964, a cyclone destroyed the mission. The Queensland government funded the rebuilding.[citation needed]
Kowanyama Post Office opened by 1967.[13]
In 1967 the Anglican church were no longer able to sustain their activities in the area as a Church Mission. The Department of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, a government department, under the Act continued running the affairs of the community.[citation needed]
In July 1987, the State Government of Queensland implemented legislation for a DOGIT (Deed of Grant in Trust) over the lands in the Mitchell River delta, an area of 250 square kilometres (97 sq mi). The deed covered the traditional lands of the people of Kowanyama. Like other DOGIT communities of the time, Kowanyama had a town Council elected by Aboriginal people living in the community. The newly formed Kowanyama Council assumed responsibility for implementing certain conditions of the DOGIT. Seven elected aboriginal residents hold three-year terms in office.[citation needed]
Since the 1990s, many Kowanyama people have been returning to their ancestral lands through the Homelands Movement.
Other homelands, including the Oriners Pastoral Lease and the Sefton Pastoral Lease, were independently purchased by the Kowanyama Council and are located outside the DOGIT boundary.[citation needed]
Demographics
editIn the 2006 census, the town of Kowanyama had a population of 1,017 people.[14]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Kowanyama had a population of 944 people.[15]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Kowanyama had a population of 1,079 people.[1]
Culture
editKowanyama is one of the largest communities on the Cape York Peninsula. Kowanyama's Aboriginal people continue to identify strongly with their ancestral countries and with the languages, stories, songs, dances, and histories associated with those countries. Language groups associated with countries in the Kowanyama region are Yir Yoront, Yirrk Thangalkl, Koko Bera, Uw Oykangand, and Olkola.[citation needed]
Education
editKowanyama State School is a government primary and secondary (Early Childhood-10) school for boys and girls at 345 Kowanyama Street (15°28′20″S 141°44′42″E / 15.4721°S 141.7451°E).[16][17] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 190 students with 21 teachers and 3 non-teaching staff.[18] It includes a special education program.[16]
Secondary education to Year 12 is not available in Kowanyama nor nearby.[4] Distance education and boarding schools are the options.
Alcohol restrictions
editKowanyama community is subject to strict alcohol restrictions enforced by police prohibiting individuals holding any alcohol, and prohibiting any vehicles carrying alcohol anywhere within the community.[19]
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council originally held a liquor licence allowing light beer to be consumed on the premises of the Kowanyama Canteen at specified times, but this was suspended by Queensland's Liquor Licensing Commission and Queensland Treasurer, Andrew Fraser, in February 2008.[20]
The decision to suspend Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council's liquor licence is claimed to have resulted in the Council losing a business valued at $1.6 million, plus up to $120,000 in stock.[21] As a consequence, on 30 October 2008, the Council went to Queensland's Supreme Court to challenge the liquor licensing decisions as racially discriminatory.[22]
Languages
editYir Yiront (also known as Yiront, Jirjoront, Yir-yiront, and Kokomindjan) is an Australian Aboriginal language. Its traditional language region is in Western Cape York within the local government areas of Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama and Shire of Cook, in the catchments of the Coleman River and Mitchell River. Following the removal of Aboriginal people from their traditional lands, it is also spoken in Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama.[23]
Climate
editKowanyama has a tropical savannah climate (Köppen: Aw), with a short, intense wet season between December and March and a lengthy dry season from April to November with lower humidity and cooler nights. Although the average maxima exceeds 30.0 °C (86.0 °F) in all months, average minima significantly vary: from 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) in July to 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in December. While rainfall averages 1,274.2 mm (50.17 in) annually, it is strongly concentrated in summer, exemplified by February 2014, when 1,470.6 mm (57.90 in) of rain fell. Extreme temperatures have ranged from 41.9 °C (107.4 °F) on 3 December 2019 to 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) on 3 August 1990.[24]
| Climate data for Kowanyama (15º28'48"S, 141º45'00"E, 10 m AMSL) (1965-2024 normals and extremes, rainfall 1912-2024) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 39.5 (103.1) |
38.5 (101.3) |
38.0 (100.4) |
37.4 (99.3) |
36.5 (97.7) |
35.6 (96.1) |
35.6 (96.1) |
37.5 (99.5) |
40.2 (104.4) |
41.0 (105.8) |
41.5 (106.7) |
41.9 (107.4) |
41.9 (107.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 33.1 (91.6) |
32.5 (90.5) |
33.0 (91.4) |
33.1 (91.6) |
32.2 (90.0) |
30.9 (87.6) |
30.9 (87.6) |
32.4 (90.3) |
34.8 (94.6) |
36.4 (97.5) |
36.4 (97.5) |
35.0 (95.0) |
33.4 (92.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 24.4 (75.9) |
24.3 (75.7) |
23.9 (75.0) |
22.0 (71.6) |
19.2 (66.6) |
16.5 (61.7) |
15.7 (60.3) |
16.4 (61.5) |
19.1 (66.4) |
22.1 (71.8) |
24.2 (75.6) |
24.5 (76.1) |
21.0 (69.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
16.5 (61.7) |
13.3 (55.9) |
12.9 (55.2) |
8.5 (47.3) |
5.9 (42.6) |
4.9 (40.8) |
4.5 (40.1) |
9.0 (48.2) |
11.0 (51.8) |
13.7 (56.7) |
14.6 (58.3) |
4.5 (40.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 345.9 (13.62) |
363.1 (14.30) |
238.1 (9.37) |
54.7 (2.15) |
11.0 (0.43) |
4.2 (0.17) |
2.4 (0.09) |
2.2 (0.09) |
2.4 (0.09) |
16.3 (0.64) |
56.3 (2.22) |
179.7 (7.07) |
1,274.2 (50.17) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 15.7 | 15.7 | 12.2 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 9.7 | 64.4 |
| Average afternoon relative humidity (%) | 66 | 69 | 61 | 51 | 44 | 40 | 36 | 33 | 32 | 35 | 43 | 55 | 47 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | 23.7 (74.7) |
24.1 (75.4) |
22.8 (73.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
17.0 (62.6) |
14.3 (57.7) |
12.7 (54.9) |
12.4 (54.3) |
13.7 (56.7) |
16.3 (61.3) |
19.2 (66.6) |
21.9 (71.4) |
18.2 (64.7) |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1965-2024 normals and extremes, rainfall to 1912)[25] | |||||||||||||
Travel
editKowanyama is serviced weekly in the dry season by road trains from Cairns. The service becomes more frequent as the wet season approaches.[citation needed]
Early storms in October can make the 400-kilometre (250 mi) dirt road to Chillagoe east of the community subject to flooding. By late December the storms of the monsoons have usually arrived, isolating the community by road.[citation needed]
The monsoons are regarded as the arrival of nhawrr yirrpa, the Rainbow Snake who brings the life giving water to the land. During the wet season, which may last until May, the community is serviced only by aircraft, as all other access is restricted. During the wet season, fresh foods and perishables are flown into the community each week on charter planes by stores in town. Airline passenger services to Cairns, 600 kilometres (370 mi) away is maintained throughout the year through Kowanyama Airport (15°29′07″S 141°45′09″E / 15.4854°S 141.7526°E).[26]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Kowanyama (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Kowanyama – town in Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama (entry 18529)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Kowanyama – locality in Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama (entry 45504)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "Coleman River (entry 7710)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "Wallaby Island – island in Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama (entry 36284)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Mitchell River (entry 22373)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "Mitchell River (North Arm) (entry 24577)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^
This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map". State Library of Queensland. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ "Kowanyama SS". Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ Freier, Philip L. (1999). Living with the Munpitch: The history of Mitchell River Mission, 1905-1967 (PDF) (PhD). James Cook University. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Kowanyama (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Kowanyama (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ a b "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Kowanyama State School". Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ Queensland Government Liquor Licensing Division's Webpage on Kowanyama Archived 28 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20 November 2008
- ^ National Indigenous Times 'Queensland's Kowanyama Canteen Looses Liquor Licence', 3 April 2008 Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20 November 2008
- ^ ABC News "Government Criticised over Prohibition by Stealth" 21 October 2008 Archived 26 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20 November 2008
- ^ ABC News "Canteen Closures Not Racist: Bligh" 31 October 2008 Archived 26 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20 November 2008
- ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Yir Yiront". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ "Kowanyama Airport Climate (1912-2024)". FarmOnline Weather. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Kowanyama Airport Climate Statistics (1912-2024)". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Airports – Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
Further reading
edit- Moran, Mark 2006 PhD Chapter on Kowanyama reviewing Kowanyama's ethnographic materials and detailing Kowanyama's institutional structure, services, and local governance arrangements Accessed 25 January 2009
- Monaghan, James (2005) ‘Our Way': social space and the geography of land allocation practice on the southern Gulf Lowlands of Cape York Peninsula. PhD thesis, James Cook University.Accessed 26 January 2009
- Ethnologue.com entry for the Kunjun Language indigenous to the Kowanyama area Accessed 6 November 2008
- Queensland Government Department of Communities 'Descriptive Data on Cape York Communities including Kowanyama Accessed 6 November 2008
- Sharp, Nonie (1998) Reimagining Northern Seascapes in Australia: Open Access, Common Property and the Return of Responsibility? (Reference to Kowanyama on Pg 6) Accessed 6 November 2008
External links
edit
- "I belong student clip – Kowanyama" brief video on growing up in Kowanyama Accessed 25 January 2009
- Our World 2.0 Our World 2 Video & Video Brief on Saltwater vs Freshwater Changes around Kowanyama Accessed 21 January 2009
- Peta Hill 'Aboriginal Station Life' on-line photo collection of people and places around Kowanyama. Accessed 25 January 2009
- Story Place: Indigenous Art of Cape York web page on "Kowanyama" Accessed 9 November 2008
- Our World 2.0 United Nations University's 'Kowanyama Climate Change' video brief Accessed 19 November 2008
- World Wildlife Funds' News Archive 2001 Article on Kowanyama Cultural and Natural Resource Mapping Project Accessed 6 November 2008