The traditional homelands of The Gangalidda, Waanyi, Garrawa and Yunjulla people.
Our people have inhabited these lands for thousands of years. Many of our residents are Traditional Owners of the lands in this region. The traditional homelands of The Gangalidda and the Waanyi people lie in and around the Doomadgee Shire. There are also Garrawa and Yunjulla people and a range of people from Indigenous nations across Australia have made Doomadgee their home.
Where Doomadgee has come from Our people have inhabited these lands for thousands of years. Many of our residents are Traditional Owners of the lands in this region. The traditional homelands of The Gangalidda and the Waanyi people lie in and around the Doomadgee Shire. There are also Garrawa and Yunjulla people and a range of people from Indigenous nations across Australia have made Doomadgee their home. The original Mission, known as ‘Old Doomadgee’ was established in 1931 close to the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Following a cyclone the mission was moved to its current site on the Nicholson River in 1936. In 1983 the Queensland Government assumed responsibility for the administration and management of the then Doomadgee Mission. In 1984 the Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984 was enacted which established the Doomadgee Aboriginal Community Council which operated for 26 years. In July 2010 under the Local Government Act 2009 the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council was established. The Council is represented by a Mayor and 4 Councillors who are elected every 4 years. Doomadgee Today Covering an area of 186,300 hectares Doomadgee is a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) Community. Doomadgee is approximately 100kms North West of Burketown and 130kms East of the Northern Territory Border. It is 630kms by road to Mt Isa and 1035 kms west of Cairns. Our Population is 1289 (667 Males 51.7%, 622 Females 48.3%) based on the 2011 Census. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 91.9% of the population. Some key statistical indicators of our community are:
The median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and older in Doomadgee is $280 compared with the State which is $587
Our unemployment rate is usually more than 10% above the State average and is currently above 19%
The average number of residents living in each of our houses is 5. The State average of number of people per house is 2.6
We have a very young community. The median age in Doomadgee is 22 years and Children aged between 0-14 made up 38.1% of the population and people aged 65 and older made up only 2.9% of the population.
29.4% of people were attending an education institution. Of these 64.8% were in Primary
