Recently, Directors Woibo and McIvor took Tony Matchett, Hope Vale Foundation’s new Innovation & Commercialisation Manager, to visit Hope Vale’s original site.
Hope Vale’s story began in 1885, when Lutheran missionary Johann Flierl established the original mission at Cape Bedford, known as Elim. George Schwartz, affectionately called Muni by the Guugu Yimidhirr people, guided the mission for more than 50 years, and led farming in the region from the McIvor River to the Endeavour River.
During WWII, residents were evacuated to Woorabinda, with many never returning. In 1949, families came back to rebuild a new mission on the Endeavour River, 25km from the original site. By 1952, this new community was gazetted as Hope Vale — the place we proudly call home today.
This connection to the history of Hope Vale provides Tony with a deeper understanding of Country and its people.
