Mossman Gorge

About Mossman Gorge

Location

Mossman Gorge is located around 2km from Mossman township, and around 77km from Cairns. 

Languages

There are several dialects of Kuku-Yalanji spoken in the area. English is also spoken, however the use of an interpreter may be necessary to assist complainants, witnesses, victims and offenders who come before the courts.

History of Mossman Gorge

• read the recent history of Mossman Gorge
• visit the Mossman Gorge Centre.

Mossman Gorge facts and figures

Key social indicators from the 2016 Census for the Mossman Gorge community include:

• 12.3% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 years and over had completed year 12 or equivalent
• 0% of households with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were overcrowded.

The following figures are from the 2011 Census and will be updated later in 2017:

• 84.2% of dependent children in families with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were from jobless families
• 42.9% unemployment rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 to 64 years
• 50% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 to 64 years worked in the Retail trade industry.

For more 2011 and 2016 census information on education, employment, income, housing figures and more for Mossman Gorge, build a statistical profile on Know Your Community.

Native title information

Search for native title information on the National Native Title Tribunal website.

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Visiting Mossman Gorge

Getting to Mossman Gorge

The drive from Cairns to Mossman Gorge along the Captain Cook Highway takes around an hour and 20 minutes, depending on traffic. 

Seasonal considerations

Mossman Gorge may be subject to heavy rains and cyclones during the wet season, which runs from around October to April/May.

Alcohol restrictions

There are no alcohol restrictions in Mossman Gorge.  

Local government

Mossman Gorge is part of the Douglas Shire Council. Search the local government directory for information about the Douglas Shire Council. 

Who to contact if you have questions about your visit

Principal Project Officer (Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships)

Phone: 07 4039 8895

Sorry business

Sorry Business is a term used during the time of mourning following the death of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Torres Strait Islanders may use the terminology ‘Bad or Sad News’. The term can also refer to the past practice of forcibly removing children from their families. The intensity of mourning is reflective of the importance of the family or person who is deceased. The mourning process enables healing for the family and community involved.

The death of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person impacts on the whole community; however, the experience of Sorry Business or Bad News can vary within each community. Commonly the name of the deceased is not used for some time or the deceased person is called by another name. In some communities, photographs or stories of the deceased are not to be used without the express permission of relevant family members. 

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Community justice group

The role of the Community Justice Group (CJG) is to ensure that clients of the service are given appropriate cultural support for court matters. The CJG also provides cultural reports to the courts at sentencing and bail applications, assistance to the courts in managing community-based offences, and networking to implement crime prevention initiatives.

Members of the CJG work closely with a number of justice agencies including the Queensland Magistrates Court, Department of Corrective Services, Queensland Police Service, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service. The CJG works to support the community’s understanding of and access to the justice system by working in conjunction with Shire Council by-laws and victim support agencies.

Key ways the CJG is able to assist the community and the courts include:

• participation in community consultations relevant to the CJG’s role within the criminal justice sector
• preparation and presentation of written and oral sentencing submissions to the court
• defendant support and referral (including court support)
• victim support and referral (including court support)
• support for debtors wishing to access the State Penalties and Enforcement Registry.

The local CJG for Mossman Gorge is:

Mossman Elders Justice Group
PO Box 292
Mossman 4873

Contact:
Coordinator Ms Christine Lynch

Phone: 07 4098 1776
Email: ejn[at]yalanji.com.au

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Community services

Use the Queensland Government's one place service directory to find up-to-date contact information for local support services including:

• legal advice and support services
• youth justice and support groups
• domestic and family violence support
• drug and alcohol services
• mens' and women's groups
• accident, emergency and medical services

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More information

• Equal Treatment Benchbook (Supreme Court Library Queensland)
• Information about the development of the justice resources 

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