Jumbun Farm (referred to publicly as Jumbun Community) is a small Aboriginal community in Far North Queensland between Cairns and Townsville. Jumbun Community adjoins the Girramay National Park, and the property has a common boundary with the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WHA) on the north-west and south-west.
The 600 acre freehold property is held by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) and was purchased in 1976 by the former Aboriginal Land Fund Commission (ALFC) to address the dispossession of the Girramay, Jirrbal and Gulnay people whose traditional lands included Jumbun and its surrounds. It is managed on behalf of the ILSC by Jumbun Limited.
When purchasing the property in 1976, the vision was to build a sustainable community and provide Aboriginal people the opportunity to return to living on their traditional homelands. Since then, the community has been a centre for farming, retail and tourism ventures that have varied over time with the wider economic cycles and natural events such as cyclones and floods.
Jumbun Limited was established on 9 June 1978 for the purpose of providing social housing, community, and economic development for its members; as well as to be the future title holding body.
On 9 June 2023 we celebrated 45 years of operations. We are an 100% Aboriginal community controlled, non-government organisation and are also a registered Australian charity who can receive (and welcome) philanthropic donations.
Jumbun Limited manages the Jumbun Community under an agreement with the ILSC. We partner with corporate, government and non-government organisations to create real change and meaningful connections between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians.
The purpose of our organisation is to ensure that our local community can achieve its self-determination and community development goals. Today, we provide social housing, community activities, funeral support and advocate for economic development and support for our community.
| Date | Events |
|---|---|
| 1976 | 245 hectares (600 acres) of freehold land is purchased by Aboriginal Land Fund Commission (ALFC) |
| 1978 | Jumbun Limited beginning |
| 2012 | Granted Registered Charity status |
| 2013 | Granted Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status |
| 2019 | 2019 Jumbun Aspirations was developed |
| 2020 | Many Rivers engaged |
| 2021 | Jumbun Ecovillage Workshop Jumbun Community Stakeholder Group established |
| 2022 | Jumbun Limited - Gumbudda in Our Mala - Five Year Strategic Focus developed |
| 2023 | Jumbun Limited 45 Year Anniversary |
Jumbun Limited has a 45-year history in the development of our community. We have seen many successes, failures and interactions with a wide range of government organisations. We are working to form meaningful partnerships that will improve outcomes. In 2019, we documented our community’s aspirations during a series of community consultations with our residents. Our aspirations include:
A key impediment for Jumbun Limited achieving our goal of self-determination, is the identification of how Jumbun Limited can generate income through our operations to offset the future costs of the operational and capital costs of essentially running a small community without any State or Federal Government assistance.
To do this, Jumbun Limited would have to place these costs onto residents as per normal Local Government Association arrangements and would be unaffordable to our residents.
We are an 100% Aboriginal community controlled, non-government organisation. Our Board is made up of local leadership. Our board includes: Abraham (Abe) Muriata, Delvene Muriata and Phyllis Grant. Our Office Manager is Nicole Huxley.
Our community is a small Aboriginal community that was formally established in 1978. Our community is administered by Jumbun Limited in accordance with an arrangement with the ILSC who hold the property. Our community includes people from the Girramay, Jirrbal and Gulnay nations.
When purchasing the property, the vision was to build a sustainable community and provide Aboriginal people the opportunity to return to living on their traditional homelands. Since then, the community has been a centre for farming, retail and tourism ventures that have varied over time with the wider economic cycles and natural events such as cyclones and floods.
Location
Size
Population
Employment
Culture
We are located in the Cassowary Coast Region local government area (LGA) and is surrounded in part by tropical rainforest.
This LGA is home to two World Heritage areas, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, and wildlife including the famous cassowary.
Across our region, there are many experiences for you to explore from rainforest to reef. With amazing natural beauty, laid back lifestyle and proximity to one of the world’s natural wonders, North Queensland’s Cassowary Coast has something offer everyone.
With kilometres of beautiful coastline and rainforest to explore across our region, there is an abundance of fishing spots, snorkelling reefs and sandy beaches to enjoy. For the adrenaline seekers, you can even skydive onto a number of spots across the region. There’s also loads of things to do with the whole family.
The Jumbun Community facilities include:
Our community also has the following:
