Umagico IKC: Good Sports
By Indigenous Services | 25 May 2022
Today marks ten years since Umagico Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) opened and is the tenth anniversary of Lorraine Young as IKC Administrator. Lorraine was instrumental in establishing the IKC as the first sports library in the network, acknowledging sports as an essential part of life for Umagico residents.
“A lot of kids and families, and most mothers too, enjoy playing volleyball and basketball, but without the equipment, they miss out. Having sports equipment available to borrow from the IKC allows community activities to happen,” explained Lorraine.
Thanks to State Library’s Strategic Priorities Grant 2020, the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) recently strengthened the IKC’s focus as a sports library by acquiring new sporting equipment. The equipment is a hit with community members and has led to collaborations between the IKC and sporting groups.
“Umagico hosts NPA Volleyball Scrimmage matches that the sports library supports,” Lorraine said.

Umagico IKC Opening, 25 May 2012.
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) region
The NPA region is made up of five Indigenous communities, Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Seisia and Umagico. An IKC is located in each community.
Learn more about the region here, https://www.nparc.qld.gov.au/our-community/home
Exploring the collection
If you’d like to explore some of State Library’s collection items relating to Umagico, we have a few suggestions in the links below:
- Mick Richards Far North Queensland Indigenous communities photographs.
Images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Central and Far North Queensland - NPA Regional Council News Letter Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
The Umagico IKC is one of five IKCs operated by the NPARC in partnership with the State Library of Queensland. The IKCs are located at Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon and Seisia.
Celebrating 20 years of IKCs
In 2002, the first Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) were developed in partnership with then Aboriginal Community and Island Councils across Queensland. Seven IKCs were opened in 2002 with many more to follow over the years.
This year thirteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Shire and Regional Councils will celebrate the role their IKCs play in their communities; as libraries, meeting places, hubs and keeping places.

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