The boundaries of the locality extend into the Coral Sea to incorporate the two Hope Islands into the locality (unofficially known as East Hope and West Hope to distinguish them). The Hope Islands are entirely within the Hope Islands National Park.[5][7]
History
The Hope Island are traditionally part of the sea country of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people.[7]
The Hope Islands were named by Lieutenant James Cook of HMS Endeavour on 13 June 1770. After the Endeavour had become stranded on the Endeavour Reef, Cook hoped that they might reach the islands after freeing the ship.[8]
Rossville Provisional School opened circa 1898 and became Rossville State School on 1 January 1909. It closed in 1964. A new Rossville State School opened on 25 January 1988.[9][10]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, the locality of Rossville had a population of 204 people.[11]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Rossville had a population of 253 people.[1]
Rossville State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Angus Gully Road (15°45′48″S145°16′06″E / 15.7632°S 145.2683°E / -15.7632; 145.2683 (Rossville State School)).[13][14] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 32 students with 3 teachers and 7 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[15] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 28 students with 2 teachers and 5 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).[16]
There are no secondary schools in Rossville with the closest secondary school being Cooktown State School in neighbouring Cooktown,[5] 31.1 kilometres (19.3mi) from Rossville.