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Palm Island (Bwgcolman)

Community profile

Palm Island is an Aboriginal community approx 65 kilometres northeast of Townsville in northern Queensland.

It is also known as Bwgcolman which means 'many people' because of the more than 50 different tribal groups sent to the island.

Traditional owners: Manbarra people

Languages: English, and Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)

For more information, see Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and Palm Island.

Palm Island is an Aboriginal community approx 65 kilometres northeast of Townsville in northern Queensland.

It is also known as Bwgcolman which means 'many people' because of the more than 50 different tribal groups sent to the island.

Traditional owners: Manbarra people

Languages: English, and Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)

For more information, see Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and Palm Island.

Population

2098

91.4% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ABS Census 2021)

Stories from Palm Island (Bwgcolman)

A young man wearing shorts but bare chested holds a shovel in his hand while he stands in a trench. In front of him is a pile of soil and beyond that is thick foliage.

Bill Coolburra: Stories of Service

31 May 2022

Bill Coolburra was a Bwgcolman man from North Queensland and veteran of the Australian Army. Learn the story of this brave and dedicated army engineer through a new short video series called Stories of Service.
A group of Indigenous children with white ceremonial paint on their bodies wearing shorts or yellow coverings dance on green grass watched by a crowd of onlookers.

The past, present and future of Palm Island

04 July 2018

The past, present and future of Palm Island were encapsulated in 3 special events held in the community’s centenary celebrations this year.
A group of Indigenous children with white ceremonial paint on their bodies wearing shorts or yellow coverings dance on green grass watched by a crowd of onlookers.

Palm Island Centenary Events Launch

19 February 2018

In 2018, the Bwgcolman people of Palm Island in North Queensland are recognising the centenary of the first placement of people on the island.
A group of men, women and children in red school polo shirt with a crowd of Indigenous children behind red banner with white writing on banner ‘Education Changes Lives.’

Back to school on Palm Island

31 January 2018

Back to School March and breakfast a hit on Palm Island.
Photo of 5 students in front of a mural on Palm Island

From education to fulltime employment for Palm Island graduates

19 January 2015

Two years after deciding to knuckle down and study, Neil Baira is reaping the results of his hard work.