The name Doomadgee derives from Dumaji, a coastal
sand dune in the traditional land of the
Yukulta / Ganggalidda people.
Waanyi (also known as
Wanyi,
Wanyee,
Wanee,
Waangyee,
Wonyee,
Garawa, and
Wanji) is an
Australian Aboriginal language of the Gulf Country. The language region includes the western parts of Lawn Hill Creek and
Nicholson River, from about the boundary between the
Northern Territory and Queensland, westwards towards
Alexandria station,
Doomadgee, and Nicholson River. It includes the local government area of the Aboriginal Shire of Doomadgee. The
Yukulta (also known as Ganggalida) language region is also of the Gulf Country, including the local government areas of the Aboriginal Shire of Doomadgee and
Shire of Mornington. "Old Doomadgee Mission" was established in 1933 by the Akehursts, a
Christian Brethren family, supported by the church and Queensland's
Chief Protector of Aboriginals, to house primarily Gangalidda people who had ended up living on the fringes of the
Burketown township. at "new Doomadgee". Doomadgee's population increased greatly during the 1950s-1960s, and facilities including a store, bank, post office,
rodeo ground and a bakery were established. From a population of 138 in 1938, it had grown to 1257 by 2011. On 30 March 1985, the Doomadgee community elected five councillors to constitute an autonomous Doomadgee Aboriginal Council, and on 21 May 1987, under the
Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984 the
Aboriginal reserve was transferred from the
Queensland Government to the trusteeship of the Doomadgee Aboriginal Council, under a
Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT). The area included the sites of both the former and current
mission. On 1 January 2005, the Doomadgee Aboriginal Council became the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council. In 2010 the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council was established under the
Local Government Act 2009. == Demographics ==