Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Geraldton WA 6531 Map of circumcision and subincision boundaries (from here). Fishing has remained important to local Aboriginal people through the years and now ecotourism provides opportunities to show their traditional country to visitors and raise awareness of and respect for the nature of Shark Bay. In 1932, a 26,300ha section of the gorge was declared as national park, after lobbying by the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland, which had organised expeditions into the area. Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre In 1858, twenty years after Lieutenant Grey's first exploration, the area was explored once more by FrancisGregory, who was looking for suitable grazing land for the West Australian government. Many people living in the Gascoyne region today can confidently identify themselves as, for example, Yinggarda, Bayungu or Tharrgari, despite the fact that knowledge of the traditional languages is sparse at best. Please share your experience with this websites content and functionality. Carnarvon Gorge lies within the spectacular and rugged ranges of Queensland's central highlands. Archaeological sites around Shark Bay tend to be close to the shoreline. The settlers successfully began wool production, eventually attracting farmers and Afghan camel teamsters to the area. Carnarvon is no longer so important a spiritual focus for the Wajarri, and the Yinggarda and Bayungu are reasserting their rights of place. Bilyunu baby The groups to the north of the Gascoyne River were characterised by a four section system and a variation on the Aranda marriage pattern (called the Mardudhunera (Martuthunira) type by Radcliffe-Brown). Perhaps for this reason, rather than because of any happy accident of history, the Yinggarda are recognised as an important group in the area, and people are able to identify themselves as Yinggarda or not, whichever the case may be. The dreaming says that the rainbow serpent Mundagurra created Carnarvon Gorge as he travelled through the creek system, coming in and out of the water, and carving the sandstone as he travelled. Key points: Rock art dating back thousands of years has been lost after a plastic walkway ignites during a bushfire This is Shark Bay. Carnarvon Creek always flows, even when it hasn't rained for months. Some early European researchers believed the Gorge was not permanently occupied due to defensive concerns and a lack of resources, however there are other hypotheses that also fit the facts given the Gorge's enormous spiritual significance. Sandstone Gorges with artesian springs are important regional ecosystems preserved within Carnarvon National Park. Yiba sister The State Government subsequently gazetted 65,000 hectares as Carnarvon Gorge National Park. Sea levels rose when glaciers melted, then fell during cold periods when water was locked up in ice. Current residents comprise Aboriginal people from many communities and language groups from the Gascoyne and beyond. Awareness and pride in traditional Aboriginal knowledge and belief was probably greatly stimulated through this increased contact, and with it came a new awareness and respect of traditional languages. Wulyibidi Peron Peninsula Carnarvon Gorge lies within the spectacular and rugged ranges of Queensland's central highlands. [1][2], There were two dialects, a northern and southern variety, with marked lexical differences. Along the coast between 17 Mile Well and Red Bluff, 310 Germans managed to make it ashore. For all other enquiries, comments and complaints, please contact us. This land still teaches, with many visitors to the park gaining a new understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture and history. Being the first RAP for the Shire of Carnarvon, our organisation is taking an initial step on the journey to reconciliation by focusing on learning, promoting and celebrating more about the worlds oldest continuing cultures and building our cultural competency. Birlirung everlasting daisy Bangga, barnka goanna There are three Aboriginal communities in the Gascoyne Region, two remote communities located within the Shire of Upper Gascoyne and one town-based community in East Carnarvon. The Lock Hospitals off the coast of Carnarvon on Bernier and Dorre Islands were the site of brutal colonial trauma inflicted on the Aboriginal population across the state. Few of them are descendants of members of the Aboriginal tribes which occupied the area in pre-contact times. Arago wrote: they watched us as dangerous enemies, and were continually pointing to the ship, exclaiming, ayerkade, ayerkade (go away, go away). Geraldton: Yamaji Language Centre 2003. Unfortunately European settlement resulted in many Aboriginal languages not being used regularly. Carnarvon's traditional owners are the Aboriginal Inggarda, Baiyunga, Thalanji, Malgana and Thudgarri people. The Department of Environment and Science acknowledges Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land. The western heritage centred around Carnarvon Gorge is quite rich and, like the indigenous heritage, is a major theme during Australian Nature Guides' Day Tours. There would have been a resurgence of mangroves and shellfish when the sea reached its present level 7,000 to 4,000 years ago. 63 Knight Terrace, Aboriginal Languages - Shark Bay Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 3:30pm | CLOSED on public holidays including: Australia Day, Good Friday, ANZAC Day, Christmas Eve & Day, Boxing Day, GWOONWARDU MIA ABORIGINAL HERITAGE AND CULTURAL CENTRE CELEBRATES THE REGION'S ABORIGINAL HERITAGE. Local material culture was quite sophisticated, and much knowledge of it can be gleaned simply by observing what has been stencilled at the art sites. Wanamalu cormorant The Skydome Made up of a series of time lapse night footage taken from different areas of the Gascoyne region showing how Aboriginal people were our first astronomers. From Shark Bay north to Roebuck Bay and Broome, Western Australias early pearling industry was notorious for its ill-treatment of Aboriginal people. The Shire has an area of approximately 46,500 square kilometres and an estimated resident population ofaround 6,150 in 2014, however accurate data is not available due to difficulties associated with the 2016Census. [3][4] Down to the end of the 20th century, it was reported that the Carnavon community had a wide knowledge of Yingkarta words, but that their use was somewhat restricted. Over the last fifty years, a large community of Wajarri people has grown in Carnarvon and to some extent retains a separate identity within the wider community. Sites at Monkey Mia and Useless Loop show the current period of occupation beginning about 2,300 years ago, while rock shelters at Eagle Bluff and on the Zuytdorp Cliffs are up to 4,600 years old. Edel Land was a particularly important place for early Aboriginal people with a stone quarry at Crayfish Bay, fresh water at Willyah Mia on Heirisson Prong, and numerous middens and camp sites. Mulhagarda whiting The collection is focused predominantly on the Gascoyne Region. Please enter your Client Log-in user name and password for access to the Special Client Booking Facility. Australia There are three claimant groups in this region; the Malgana, Nanda and Gnulli. Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland, The department is seeking volunteers to act as campground hosts at Carnarvon Gorge section, Carnarvon National Park over the Queensland school holidays. Malgana were granted native title over 28,800 square kilometres of land and waters in the Shark Bay area including a large part of the World Heritage Area and the Nanda determination included the southern portion of the World Heritage Area. Through the actions and deliverables of this Reconciliation Action Plan, Council, through its people, will endeavour to create positive and meaningful advancements in our reconciliation journey towards an even more prosperous community. Camp sites, water wells, fish traps and grinding grooves are also scattered across the peninsula. Gwoonwardu MiaAboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre celebrates the culture and country of the five Aboriginal language groups of the Gascoyne Region and provides the community with valuable source of information regarding Aboriginal cultural history. In the 1950's the Federal Government helped fund a whaling station at Babbage Island. Carnarvon Gorge | Human History |Australian Nature Guides Yinggarda was a Kartu language spoken from the coastal area around Carnarvon through the Gascoyne River to the junction and southwards to the Wooramel River. The building was nicknamed Silver City because the families who camped there were given government payments in silver coins. The Shire of Carnarvon is committed to honouring the traditional custodians' unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society. Home > Culture & History > Aboriginal Heritage. Language is both a mirror and a vehicle for culture and provides insight into Malgana cultural life. Non-Indigenous people with venereal diseases were not subject to such measures. [4] It extended east of the Karajarri coastal zone, and from Port Hedland through to Marble Bar and Nullagine, south over the Shaw River, and north over . Aboriginal rock art sites . Thaamarli Tamala Station Thaamarli Tamala Station High country to the south was named 'The Ranch', possibly by cattle duffers, while side-gorges were perfect for 'lying low'. ABORIGINAL CULTURE Carnarvon's traditional owners are the Aboriginal Yinggarda people, who named this area long ago, Gwoonwardu, meaning 'neck of water'. The Burrowing Bees - The big hairy bee that is unique to the Gascoyne region is called Mungurrgurra or sometimes Jurrabarri. We aim to be an inclusive, engaged, resilient community with access to services and facilities enabling a safe and healthy lifestyle. Yalgari tree There are currently no park alerts for this park. Carnarvon town Aboriginal ancestors lived in the area known as Carnarvon long before it became a town. Some Aboriginal workers were taken by force. Wulyibidi Peron Peninsula Carnarvon Gorge - Wikipedia It encompasses 298,000 hectares spread over seven sections which are managed from three different Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service units. Aboriginal Mortuary Practices in Carnarvon - JSTOR Bush medicines were readily available, as is mentioned in the section on Carnarvon Gorge's flora. It is thought that the Bidjara and the Karingbal had strong social and spiritual ties during the period prior to colonisation and that both groups were using the Gorge, although not necessarily on a permanent basis. Disappearing, virtually over night, were the camels and the cameleers. He contacted Aborigines in May 1858 near the present-day township of Carnarvon (Green 1981), but made no attempt to speak to them. It produces high protein forage in its leaves and, generally, cattle are put into the paddocks to graze directly on the bush. He named the river "Gascoyne" after a naval friend, Captain Gascoyne, and then trekked up the dry riverbed, discovering a pool of freshwater. On his return, after a near fataljourney, Grey noted that the area around the mouth of the Gascoyne River was good for agriculturaldevelopment. Thayadi, thayirri snake Archaeologists believe people may have moved away from Shark Bay during glacial periods when the sea level was lower and fresh water limited. Thalganjangu lagoon Yamatji is a name commonly used by Aboriginal people in the Murchison and Gascoyne regions of WesternAustralia to refer to themselves, and sometimes also to Aboriginal people generally, when speakingEnglish. Warda pearl Birlirung everlasting daisy The sociolinguistic situation in the Gascoyne region today is drastically different from this and is in a state of flux. All Aboriginal sites and artefacts are protected by the Aboriginal Heritage Act. Carnarvon became the centre of a successful wool producing area. Shark Bay District Office Baudins expedition naturalist, Franois Pron, made the first written descriptions of Aboriginal people ever presented to the rest of the world. Lil lil clubs and orderd hand stencils. Geraldton WA 6531 Gwoonwardu Mia, the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, is a multipurpose centre that celebrates the five Aboriginal language groups of the Gascoyne Region. The high natural values resident in Carnarvon Gorge and the surrounding area, i.e. Since the early 1980s there have been attempts to offer instruction in local languages in primary schools in Carnarvon with varied success. Evidence of thousands of years of Aboriginal life remains at sites associated with ceremonies and the stories of ancestral spirits. ), Aborigines of the west: Their past and their . Nyarlu woman 645 palm trees were planted and 645 plaques were placed at the base of each tree. in the town itself. The shoreline of Shark Bay has a W shape formed by the Edel Land peninsula and Dirk Hartog Island to the west, Peron Peninsula in the centre, and the eastern coastal strip. He named the river "Gascoyne" after his naval friend, Captain Gascoyne,and then trekked up the dry riverbed, discovering a pool of freshwater. They gathered oysters in the shallows, skin-dived for them, and collected them in wire dredges towed behind sailing boats. [5], The Yingkarta's lands, lying between the Gascoyne and River Wooramel rivers in a wedge of land separating those of the Tedei to their south, and of their northern neighbours the Mandi. Guyu father Mission lives, mission stories The exhibition tells the story of how Aboriginal people were moved from the stations and their lives changed. It is uniquely located in the heart of the Gascoyne regionand is surrounded by pristine natural environments on both land and in the ocean. TheLieutenant was aboard the whaling vessel, the "Russell", and landed on the mainland (present dayCarnarvon) to explore the area. The more recent additions to Carnarvon National Park reflect the changing concerns of governmental conservation agencies. We can safely suggest that the rate of multilingualism would have been high, given marriages across group boundaries and regular contact with other linguistic groups. Kangaroos and wallabies can be found around the picnic area and at night echidnas can be seen strolling about. Interpretive Ranger Fred Conway discussing Aboriginal culture with visitors at the Art Gallery. 2021 Carnarvon, Census Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people Unfortunately European settlement resulted in many Aboriginal languages not being used regularly. Book your experience with a trusted local today, 2023 Shire of Carnarvon Powered by Bookeasy, Developed by Impart Media. This will be one hundred years to the day since the last person was removed from the islands and the hospitals closed. Malgana were successful in being awarded funding for the State Governments Aboriginal Ranger Program in 2018 and 2019, an acknowledgement of their strong desire to be directly involved in managing the vast conservation estate in the Shark Bay area. and S.W. The Aboriginal population of Carnarvon numbers about 1,500 individuals. The same water, still flowing from the rock, has drawn people to Carnarvon Gorge for many thousands of years. Irrabuga bottlenose dolphin Thaaka shark Gantharri grandchile, grandparent Today, there are over 70 banana plantations in Carnarvon, covering 350 hectares and producing 4,194 tonnes of bananas annually. Bangga, barnka goanna in zigzag lines towards pools and camping places. There are several Aboriginal organisations in the town which represent the interests of Yinggarda people. In 1858 British surveyor Henry Denham mentioned Aboriginal huts. We recognise their connection to land, sea and community, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. Some amazing growth rates are claimed by touters of leucaena - as much as one kilo of weight per beast per day. In 2009, the Thudgari People were granted native title over an area of 11,280sq km in the eastern Gascoyne. Wurrinyu girl, young woman Winthu wind, Gutharraguda two waters / two bays Shark Bay These join the Fitzroy River, which meets the coast near Rockhampton. Since the original gazettal, much land has been added to the reserve and it is now known as Carnarvon National Park, of which Carnarvon Gorge is but a section. The Malgana People were granted native title in December 2018 over approximately 28,800 square kilometres of land and waters around the World Heritage listed Shark Bay. Biodiversity protection - Carnarvon National Park protectsa diverse range of regional landforms and ecosystems, including 40 regional ecosystems, of which nine are listed as endangered. You couldn't possibly visit Carnarvon without at least tasting the Carnarvon bananas and mangoes. It is thought that Mitchell named the ranges after the Caernarfon Ranges of Wales. Despite the lack of fluent speakers, there is a wide knowledge, though restricted use, of Yinggarda vocabulary among members of the Carnarvon community. About Yamaji Aboriginal - Telethon Kids Institute Nature, culture and history | Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon National Park The community is a key priority area through our Corporate Business Plan 2018-2022 and Strategic Community Plan 2018-2028. The Lock Hospitals off the coast of Carnarvon on Bernier and Dorre Islands were the site of brutal colonial trauma inflicted on the Aboriginal population from across the state where they were forcibly placed on remote islands. Jalyanu grass The Nyamal are a coastal people though their traditional lands extend inland through to the Yarrie country of the De Grey River, [3] the name yari denoting the white ochre on the river banks. On capture they were held at the Carnarvon Goal before being sent to P.O.W. Copies can be purchased from: The Yamaji Language Centre They might once have had such a system which had broken down or they might merely be trying to adapt themselves as well as possible to the social organisation of the neighbouring tribes. Gantharri grandchile, grandparent The dominant language of the region is English and although some knowledge of traditional languages remains, these are rarely used with fluency in any particular situation. Guyu father Mardirra pink snapper It will otherwise not be used or disclosed unless authorised or required by law. Large quantities of Macrozamia seed husks were retrieved from the floor sediments of Cathedral Cave, giving rise to the hypothesis that they formed the resource base supporting Carnarvon Gorge's large ceremonial gatherings. In 1932, a pastoral lease over Carnarvon Gorge was allowed to lapse by its owners, Tableland Holdings. Caring for country is about protecting important sites and the connections between sites, people and environment. The ties Aboriginal groups have to land are recognised by Native Title, a form of land title determined by the Federal Court upon application by indigenous people. As both artistic pieces and places of rest, they will allow for contemplation and sharing of history. 22 Sanford Street (PO Box 433) The gorge is often described by today's Traditional Custodians as a place of learning - an area of great spirituality. Gwoonwardu Mia, the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre for all five language groups of the region, was reopened by you in 2019. Thalganjangu lagoon Modern aims include Catchment preservation - the headwaters of five major catchments lie within the Park's boundaries, feeding into the Fitzroy, Murray-Darling and Lake Eyre Basins. Most recently, theWajarri Yamatji Part D and Wajarri Yamatji Part E claims were determined in July 2021. Lying at the mouth of the Gascoyne River. Adapted from: Malgana Wangganyina (Talking Malgana): an Illustrated Wordlist of the Malgana Language of Western Australia. Ludwig Leichhardt led the first European group into the region in 1844, passing to the east of the gorge. The centre features a permanent exhibition, touring exhibitions, caf, gallery, Artist-in-Residence program, conference and meeting rooms, an ethnobotanical garden and gift shop. Their inland extension, from the northern area of Shark Bay,[6] ran as far east as the vicinity of Red Hill and Gascoyne Junction. The situation was defused with singing, dancing and an exchange of gifts. in zigzag lines towards pools and camping places. About 250 different Aboriginal languages were spoken when Europeans first settled in Australia, including three in the Shark Bay region: Malgana, Nanda and Yingkarta. Permanent springwater, cooler temperatures and low levels of direct sunlight provide the conditions that allow remnant rainforest to survive here in the dry central Queensland climate. This has beenrecognised with Shark Bay in the south of the Gascoyne and Ningaloo Reef in the north being listed asWorld Heritage areas. The community is managed by the Burringurrah Community Aboriginal Corporation and is supported by a multi-stakeholder group (including Commonwealth, WA government and non-government organisations) that coordinates access to community services for residents of this community. They might once have had such a system which had broken down or they might merely be trying to adapt themselves as well as possible to the social organisation of the neighbouring tribes. Carnarvon youth leaders plan to curb rising crime rates with - ABC Many Aboriginal men and women worked in the pearling industry which began in the 1850s and peaked in the 1870s. Sea level rises during interglacial periods would have flooded previously occupied sites, making them unsuitable for living and possibly removing evidence of their occupation. Recognised nationally for its outstanding natural and cultural values, Carnarvon Gorge protects unique and significant plants and animalsmany of them relics of cooler, wetter times. Buyungurra turtle Intimate knowledge of their country made Aboriginal people essential to the pastoral industry when it began in the late 1860s with the introduction of sheep. It also includes taking steps towards researching and understanding the profile of our reconciliation journey in relation to the needs of our local community. Much of the Western knowledge of the Gorge's pre-history comes from archaeological excavations of the Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave. Cattle breeds are mostly Brahmin crosses, and the majority of local properties finish their cattle in Winter and Spring on forage crops such as oats. The Lock Hospitals operated on Bernier and Dorre Islands via Carnarvon between 1908 and 1919. Of these about 200 live on the Aboriginal reserve; 100 in shanty type accom- . Many family members who were separated during the lock hospital scheme never saw each other again. Carnarvon Gorge - an Aboriginal Rock Stencil Art site, with engravings The more recent Holocene has been a warm interglacial period. The camels were used to transport wool from the stations to the port ( One Mile Jetty ), ready for export. Carnarvon Gorge National Park in Central Queensland is an area known for its natural beauty and also as a significant sacred site for the Aboriginal people from the region. Lined with vegetation and fed by the waters of numerous side gorges, Carnarvon Creek winds between towering sandstone cliffs. Yamaji. On his return, after a near fatal journey, Grey noted that the area around the mouth of the Gascoyne River was good for agricultural development. In 1986 the Lock Hospitals were registered as protected areas under the Aboriginal Heritage Act. Prior to this, the Gnulli native title claim was determined in December 2019 giving recognition to the Yinggarda, Baiyungu and Thalanyji People over an area of 71,354 square kilometres. 146 Robinson Street, Carnarvon WA 6701, Australia, Book your experience with a trusted local today, 2023 Shire of Carnarvon Powered by Bookeasy, Developed by Impart Media. Primarily created by water erosion, Carnarvon Gorge is around 30 kilometres long, located in Carnarvon National Park, and six hundred metres deep at the mouth. The company is still successfully processing prawns and even (ironically) running seasonal whale and dolphin watching tours. The national award-winning Gwoonwardu Mia, Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, capture the region's Aboriginal history. Around the same time a meatworks was built to supply the local area with fresh meat, but it never eventuated as there was too much of a fluctuating supply of stock. We will only use your information for this purpose. The patients and their families often had little idea where they were or why they were taken from their traditional country. Home > Culture & History > Aboriginal Heritage > Aboriginal Languages. The entire park lies within the Southern Brigalow Belt Bio-region. The area was settled in 1876 by the Browns and the Brockman's, who travelled from York to Carnarvon, with 4,000 sheep. As a result the Gascoyne is now home to Aboriginal people from many language groups from around the State. The gorge, sometimes called "The Grand Canyon of Queensland," is about 20 miles (32 km) long and 150 to 1,200 feet (45 to 370 m) wide, with vertical sandstone walls rising 600 feet (180 m). The ochre stencils at Carnarvon are some of the finest examples of this type of Aboriginal imagery in Australia.