Umbakumba, Northern Territory

Before European contact, Macassan and Bugis sailors would visit the area in search for trepang from around the early to mid 1700s. They introduced culinary delights such as tamarinds, chilli and beer. This continued until the introduction of the White Australia Policy by the Australian Government in 1906.[2] There are still evidence of the Macassans such as the wild tamarind trees which were introduced to the area through trade. The place name itself Umbakumba comes from the Malay word ombak-ombak which means ‘lapping of waves’.[3]

Mr Fred H. Gray, a pearl and trepang trader, established the Umbakumba Native Settlement on an old Macassan trading post. He used the settlement as a base for trepanging and employed many of the indigenous locals during the 20s and 30s.[4]

In 1938 Umbakumba became renowned as the service and refuelling base for the Qantas Empire Airways flying boats that travelled the long-haul route between Sydney, Singapore and the south of England. During WWII, this converted to a Royal Australian Air Force flying base.[5]

Gray's position on the island was not endorsed by the CMS. When the support of the settlement from the CMS was withdrawn, Gray stated that he chose to continue with the work he had begun. In May 1956 the Northern Territory Administrator sent a letter to Gray stating that it was government policy only to approve of Missions run by recognised "Christian Missionary Organisations" which would exclude "the establishment and conduct of Missions by private individuals as proprietary concerns." The government subsidy that was paid to the Settlement was withdrawn.[6]

The Church Mission Society over control over the administration of the settlement in February 17th, 1958 with Keith Hart as superintendent. The settlement was renamed it Umbakumba Mission. By mid-1959, the indigenous population had grown to 175.[7]

They ran the mission until 1966 when it was taken over by the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory government due to continuing staff shortages.[1] The population at the time was 214.

The Welfare Branch later handed administrative control of the township to a self-governing Aboriginal Community Council in 1973. In 2008 Umbakumba became part of the East Arnhem Shire Council.[8]

The Mamarika Clan are the traditional owners of Umbakumba. Groote Eylandt’s Indigenous population has 14 clan groups, which make up the two moieties on Groote Eylandt. Umbakumba is one of the three main settlements on the Groote Eylandt archipelago where Anindilyakwa is the predominate language spoken at home including Milyakburra and Angurugu. The clans maintain their traditions and have strong ties with the people in the community of Numbulwar and on Bickerton Island.[1]