The Mapoon team members have been working on drainage at Thunghu alongside other construction projects during the first four weeks. Photo: COE.
The history of Old Mapoon is one of trial and resilience, and the significant cultural sites that record it.
These include parts of the original Mapoon settlement razed in the 1960s, now being actively explored and protected by Community Owned Enterprises’ (COE) latest Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) project.
Six dedicated participants, led by local supervisor Addi Mamoose and Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council’s (MASC) infrastructure executive manager Victor Mills, started the Queensland Government-funded program four weeks ago.
They began with work on fencing and drainage around the site of the original mission buildings.
The SQW program grows employable skills through certificate-level qualifications and real employment experience over six months while participants work on important community projects.
For remote Mapoon, skills in construction and trades are highly sought by the community of about 450 residents.
COE project support officer Kami Samson-Narara said abilities gained in the Certificate 1 in Construction would make participants highly employable locally and across the wider region. Their work to assist MASC would also leave a lasting legacy.
“Mapoon suffers a skills drain as our young people move away to chase trades and careers after finishing school,” Kami said.
“But with pressure on council to not only maintain our community infrastructure, but also to protect our historic sites and to build new housing, we desperately need skilled tradies here in Mapoon.
“It’s great to see all six so actively engaged and showing up keen to work every day.”
She said participants were learning valuable skills while performing important work for the council and community.
“With more and more people visiting the historic sites at Cullen Point each year, it’s vital we preserve and protect these important relics of our history so we can show future generations the sites that have formed our community.”
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council interim CEO Amanda Ewart said the project would help council deliver more works.
“It’s very positive to see residents of Mapoon being involved in the training project,” she said.
“Council has many construction and civil works projects commencing in 2026 and 2027; we will need a capable and qualified team of workers from Mapoon to get the work done.”
COE runs SQW projects in remote communities throughout Cape York. This marks the second hosted by Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council following a successful venture in 2021-2022.
COE staff ensure participants progress through the program, offering daily supervision and support to the team and council. The organisation also equips teams with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools, setting participants up for future roles and opportunities.
With the wet season setting in and Christmas breaks days away, the Mapoon team will take a couple of weeks to rest and enjoy time with family and friends. Participants will return early in the new year to begin their dedicated training modules and assist new council projects.
The group takes a brief break at the historic Mapoon site: Georgeston Ling, Richard Parry, supervisor Addi Mamoose, Michael Nolan, Robert Savo, James Peter and Dominic Sagigi-Doolah. Photo: COE.
