Murray Island Council

In 1886, the nucleus of a Meriam local council was formed, following the Queensland Government's appointment of a head-man, who could choose his assistants.

A Murray Island Native Court was also established.

This was presided over by government appointed teachers, who approved written judgements about traditional Meriam rights to land and other matters.

Forming part of the British colonial practice of "indirect rule", these institutions provided Murray Islanders with a degree of latitude, and the chance to follow their customary ways.

Records of four hundred, government certified judgments accumulated over the years, and these became important documents when the Meriam people pursued their land rights claim in the 1980's.