nationalaboriginalandtorresstraitislanderdayofcelebration

Bedourie is a historic town in Channel Country, with a rich past and a bright future. Meaning ‘dust storm', Bedourie was originally inhabited by the Wangkamahdla people. In more recent times, white settlers realized the potential of the district for cattle production, and profitable stations were established. Source: www.thediamantina.com.au/bedourie#:~:text=Bedourie%20is%2....

Bedourie to the border now known as Wangkamahdla country after native title win ABC North West Qld / By Kemii Maguire Posted Sat 17 Jul 2021 at 6:30amSaturday 17 Jul 2021 at 6:30am, updated Sat 17 Jul 2021 at 11:03am * The Wangkamahdla people have won native title to 3 million hectares of outback Queensland * The land will encompass Bedourie, seven cattle stations, and parts of the Simpson Desert and Munga-Thirri National Park * The determination ends a six-year legal battle in the Federal Court It's been a six-year legal battle but native title rights have been won for more than three million hectares of land in outback Queensland. Land in and around the central-west town of Bedourie spanning to the Northern Territory border was recognized in the Federal Court this week as Wangkamahdla country. The native title will encompass seven cattle stations, one-fifth of the Munga-Thirri National Park, and parts of the Simpson Desert, Cravens Peak, and Ethabuka Nature Reserve. Cattle stations include Glenormiston Station, Gleneagle Station, Sandringham Station, Cluny Station, Kamaran Downs, and parts of Adria Downs and Marion Downs. It has also been approved for a combination of exclusive and non-exclusive rights. Wangkamahdla woman Avelina Tarrago said the native title win felt surreal. Her family had been involved with the native title claim before she was born, but she said this individual case had been in the courts since early 2016. "It's unique that this year's NAIDOC is talking about healing country, and that's something that resonates with me for this determination." Ms. Tarrago said the land rights would make it easier for Wangkamahdla people to hunt, fish, collect bush foods, and perform ceremonies on country. "As you can appreciate, it's quite a remote area. Not everyone has the benefit to live on country," she said. "So this makes it easier for our mob to visit our sacred sites. "It's sad that some of our elders are not here to see this outcome." The rights will be handled by the Mulligan River Aboriginal Corporation, named after the river that runs through Wangkamahdla country. Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-17/wangkamahdla-native-title-...

A Brief History of Widgee For thousands of years, the Widgee area was home to the Kabi Kabi aboriginals of the Wide Bay region, with one tribal group, the Kaiabara, particularly associated with Widgee. Unfortunately, the advent of European settlement resulted in much friction between the local aborigines and the settlers early on, finally resulting in the local tribes being driven from the area. Their former presence is marked today by a number of bora rings and by many of the local place names. The first European settlers arrived in Widgee in the late 1840s following William Tooth and Company's successful tender for two runs in the area. Tooth and Company's Widgee Station was renowned in its early days for the quality and quantity of beasts fattened in the area, and for the exploits of the local horsemen. The tradition of horsemanship lives on today in the annual Bushman's Carnival held each May. Source: www.widgee.info/widgee_history.htm

Huts at Barambah Aboriginal Settlement 1911 Rita Huggins remembers leaving her grandmother in Woorabinda while the rest of the family were transported to Barambah: “We went to Woorabinda to leave her there. She only lived three weeks after that. She went into the bush to die. She didn’t have the will. “Don’t take my gundaberries (children). Don’t take them. I bring them into the world” she said to the policeman but he just pushed her aside.” - Rita Huggins, interview, 1984 The profound trauma of being driven from their traditional country and of having their family networks and culture shattered is still vivid for many of our parents and grandparents. Source: www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryqueensland/51261569244/...