Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire
Located in Guugu Yimithirr country north of Cooktown, the Aboriginal Shire of Hope Vale is the 21st-century incarnation of the German Lutheran mission established in 1885, which came to be known as the Cape Bedford Mission. It is 25 kilometres from modern-day Hope Vale.
During World War II, the residents were evacuated to Woorabinda, where many of the people died. The survivors were not allowed to return to Cape Bedford until 1949 and the land was formally gazetted as an Aboriginal reserve in September 1952.
In 1986, under the Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984, a Deed of Grant in Trust was given to the Hope Vale community. Like other DOGIT communities, Hope Vale had a Community Council elected by the community. The Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council operates under the Queensland Local Government Act, with added responsibilities for fisheries, alcohol management and employment initiatives.
