Mission River, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mission RiverQueensland |
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 Mission River
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 987 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.17614/km2 (0.4562/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4874 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 5,603.5 km2 (2,163.5 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
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| State electorate(s) | Cook | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Leichhardt | ||||||||||||||
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Mission River is a coastal area in Queensland, Australia. It's a rural locality that is part of two different local government areas: the Shire of Cook and the Aboriginal Shire of Napranum. In 2016, about 987 people lived in Mission River.
Contents
Where is Mission River?
Mission River is located on the coast. Inside its boundaries, there are several smaller areas that are actually part of Weipa Town. These areas are like small islands within Mission River and are called enclaves. They include Evans Landing, Nanum, Rocky Point, Trunding, and the Weipa Airport.
A Look at History
The area around Mission River has a rich history, especially with its original inhabitants, the Aboriginal people.
Traditional Languages
Two important Aboriginal languages are connected to this region:
- Linngithigh (also known as Winda Winda and Linginiti) is spoken by the Linngithigh people. Their traditional lands include parts of Western Cape York, Winda Winda Creek, Mission River, and the Archer River. These areas are within the Cook Shire Council.
- Thaynakwith (also known as Awngthim, Tainikuit and Winduwinda) is another Aboriginal language. It is spoken in the Western Cape York area, including Albatross Bay and Mission River. This language region covers parts of the Weipa Town Council and Cook Shire.
How Mission River Got Its Name
The name "Mission River" was likely given in 1895. It was named by a missionary named J. Nicholas Hey and an important government official, John Douglas. John Douglas was the Government Resident (a kind of local governor) for Thursday Island from 1885 to 1904.
Learning and Schools
There are no schools directly within Mission River itself. Students living in Mission River usually go to school in Weipa. The closest primary and secondary school is Western Cape State College, which is located in Rocky Point.
