Shire of Mornington (Queensland)


The Shire of Mornington is a local government area in north-west Queensland, Australia. The Shire covers Mornington Island and neighbouring islands in the Wellesley Islands group in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Shire Council employees are 93% local indigenous residents.
The Shire Council has 22 islands which are inhabited by the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadilt and Gangalidda people. It has abundant flora and fauna including tea trees, mangroves and sea oaks. The beaches are filled with a variety of marine life consisting of turtles and the endangered dugong. It is a highly sought-after fishing and diving area with unspoiled beaches and emphasis on eco-tourism.
The administrative centre for the shire is the township of Gununa, on Mornington Island. In 2001 the Shire had a population of 934 of which 88.2% were Aboriginal. By the, the population of the shire had risen to 1,143; with 86.1% of residents being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

History

is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Mornington Island and the Northern Wellesley Islands, within the local government boundaries of the Mornington Shire.
Yukulta is an Australian Aboriginal language. The Yukulta language region is the Gulf Country including the local government areas of the Aboriginal Shire of Doomadgee and Shire of Mornington.
The shire was formed in 1978 as a result of the Queensland Government's decision to take over control of the islands from the Uniting Church. The local community sought the assistance of the Federal Government to overturn the decision. The establishment of self-governance for the community under a Local Government model was the result of the ensuing discussions.

Amenities

The Mornington Shire Council does not operate any public libraries.

Mayors