Cape
York
Patrol

Presbyterian Church

A Big Country! Cape York peninsula is a huge area of land (approximately two thirds the size of the State of Victoria) with long distances between each place.  For example, it takes 11-12 hours (on a good day) for Ron to drive from Cairns to Weipa.  The peninsula extends north for about 800 km from Cairns, and is about 645 km wide at its base.  It has a population of 15,000, half of whom are Aborigines or Torres Strait Islanders.

Aurukun, is an Aboriginal Community.  Of the 1,400 people who live there, 1,300 are aboriginal. It was established by our church in 1904.  Ron has run several School holiday programs there in the past few years.

Weipa has an Aboriginal Community of 1,000 people which was also established by our church, many years ago.

Mapoon was the first Aboriginal Mission established on the Cape.  It was closed for a period of time, but re-established in the 70's.