Work with Purpose. Grow with Community. Join Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council.

Be part of a team that’s passionate about strengthening community, culture, and connection. At Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, your work has purpose — every role contributes to improving the lives of our our Elders, families, and future generations.

Welcome to Kowanyama

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council is committed to building a strong, healthy, and connected community.

Guided by our Vision — “To build a healthy and safe community, with strong economic opportunities and wellbeing services, through innovation and collaboration” — we deliver a wide range of essential services that make a real difference in people’s lives.

Located in Western Cape York, our region is rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Kowanyama means “place of many waters” in the Yir Yoront language and is home to over one thousand residents. Council works closely with the community, Elders, and partner organisations to create opportunities that strengthen culture, promote wellbeing, and support sustainable growth.

When you join Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, you’re not just starting a job — you’re becoming part of a dedicated team working with purpose to make our community stronger for generations to come.

Our History

In 1905, Trubanamen Mission was established inland on Topsy Creek, now known as the old mission. 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 peoples continued to occupy their traditional lands, moving into Kowanyama as late as the 1940s.

In 1964, a cyclone destroyed the Mission. The Queensland government funded the rebuilding.

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.

In 1987 the State transferred control to the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council via a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT).

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.