NOTICE OF MEETING
AYAPATHU NATIVE TITLE GROUP
Cape York United #1 Native Title Claim (QUD673/2014)
MONDAY 8 DECEMBER 2025
COEN
This notice is to advise that the Applicant for the Cape York United #1 (CYU#1) Claim will convene a meeting on Monday 8 December 2025 for all members of the Ayapathu Native Title Group about a proposed determination area in the CYU#1 Claim over part of the Coen Town Common, as shown in the map below. The meeting will be facilitated by Cape York Land Council (CYLC).
AYAPATHU NATIVE TITLE GROUP MEETING
Date: Monday 8 December 2025
Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm (lunch provided) (Registration from 10:00am)
Venue: Wunthulpu Visitors Centre, Coen, QLD
What is the purpose of this meeting?
The purpose of this meeting is to:
- discuss a proposed determination area over part of the Coen Town Common, where members of the Ayapathu Native Title Group and Southern Kaantju Native Title Group agreed that a joint native title should be recognised at a meeting on 8 June 2021, as part of the Traditional Owner-led Boundary Identification, Mediation, and Negotiation Process for the CYU#1 Claim;
- nominate a new Prescribed Body Corporate, with both Ayapathu and Southern Kaantju native title holders eligible for membership, for the joint native title area near Coen; and
- discuss next steps to progress the area towards a determination of native title, which is proposed to be made on the papers in 2026.
Who may attend this meeting?
All members of the Ayapathu Native Title Group are eligible and invited to attend this meeting, being those persons who descend from one or more of the apical ancestors listed below. Those with connections with, and have authority to speak to the Coen area are particularly encouraged to attend.
- Albert Bluewater;
- Kitty (wife of Peter Coleman);
- Jack Ebagoola;
- Rosie Ebagoola (aka Rosie Massey) (wife of Paddy Nyakum);
- Kathleen (Kuu’y) Huddy (spouse of Tom Huddy);
- Nellie Jinkan/Jenkins;
- Nellie King (Kaakunydiyingu);
- Kitty (spouse of Tommy Walwal);
- Jinny Long (aka Jinny Bandfoot/Bamford) (wife of Willy Long);
- Rosie (Kaithempe);
- Willy Long (aka Willie Bandfoot/Bamford) (Spouse of Jinny Long);
- Mailman (aka Gilbert Ahlers);
- Old Paddy (aka Paddy Kennedy) (Nyakum);
- Young Paddy (spouse of Annie ‘Thumupalu’ Laurie aka Massey);
- Nellie Puller;
- Maggie (mother of George Rocky 2);
- Rosie (mother’s mother of Willy and Lukin Harold);
- Shortjoe (Manpungka);
- Tommy Walwal;
- Charlie Whiteford/Whitefoot/Whitewood;
- Annie ‘Thumupalu’ Laurie aka Massey (spouse of Young Paddy);
- Friday Bush; or
- Mother of Jack Shephard.
As this is an important decision-making meeting about the PBC for the proposed determination area, all members of the Ayapathu Native Title Group are strongly encouraged to attend. If you have any queries about the purpose of this meeting, please contact Principal Legal Officer Michelle Cioffi on 1800 623 548 or by email mcioffi@cylc.org.au. For all other meeting queries, please contact Lee Ann Miller whose contact details are shown below. A separate meeting will be held for the members of the Southern Kaantju Native Title Group to consider the same matters. That meeting will be held on Monday 8 December 2025 at 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
IMPORTANT
Attendance, Travel Assistance & Teleconferencing
For travel assistance, to confirm your attendance or for any general queries about the meeting, please contact CYLC Business Support Officer Lee Ann Miller on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email lmiller@cylc.org.au. Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance and requests must be made by 1 December 2025. Teleconferencing facilities will also be made available at the meeting. If you would like CYLC to arrange a teleconference from your location into the meeting, whether you live at the location of the meeting or elsewhere, please contact Lee Ann Miller at CYLC. CYLC is committed to providing every opportunity for eligible persons to attend the meeting.
