The artists are the storytellers of our people, telling individual and collective memories through their artistic works and dance performances. Visual art and performing art form a strong part of the Quandamooka identity.
The Salt Water Murris – Quandamooka Inc is dedicated to the production and presentation of local Aboriginal culture and the art gallery offers a diverse and inspiring display of traditional and contemporary artwork. Established to promote and maintain the cultural capital of our clan groups, Salt Water Murri’s – Quandamooka, is located at Ballow Road, Dunwich. Visit Salt Water Murri’s – Quandamooka Inc, to experience Quandamooka Culture, hear our stories, and see our art.
Our people have retained our distinctive culture and we are living proof of our continuous occupation and cultural practice. Our traditional practices have been upheld in contemporary form. Our People travel regularly through Quandamooka land and sea caring for Country. Through consultations with our Elders and the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, we work together to protect our lands and sea country in many ways, including taking part in cultural heritage management, Environmental Impact Assessments, negotiating over developments, educating the public and maintaining land and sea management responsibilities. Caring for our Country is our business. It always has been and always will be.
The Quandamooka Peoples have lived on Minjerribah (now known as North Stradbroke Island) for a very long time. Scientists say at least 25 000 years, however we say longer. Our traditional estate – Quandamooka, the waters and islands of Central and Southern Moreton Bay and the coastal land and streams between the Brisbane to Logan Rivers, gave life to us in a time beyond memory.
There are three clans that comprise the Peoples of the Quandamooka. They are the Nughi of Moorgumpin (now known as Moreton Island) and the Nunukul and Gorenpul of Minjerribah.
We hold our heads high as Traditional Owners with strong identity and culture.
We are the Quandamooka People. We are the people of the sand and the water.
The Quandamooka people have lived on or around Southern Moreton Bay for tens of thousands of years. Archaeological evidence dates occupation of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) back to at least 21,000 years ago.
Many tribes mingled on Minjerribah and local people identify the Noonuccal and Goenpul as the traditional owners of the Island and surrounding waters. The Dunwich area was called Goompee or Coompee, from a word meaning pearl oyster. It has always been home to a sizeable indigenous population, as well as a seasonal visiting place for tribes from other areas. For the past 180 years, it has also been the site of various European settlements, including a military/stores depot and convict outstation (1827-1831), a Catholic mission (1843-1846), quarantine station (1850-1864) and benevolent asylum (1866-1946).
As far as European history goes, the Portuguese, Dutch and French possibly mapped the coastline around the middle of the 16th century. In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook, sailing along the Eastern Australian coast in HMS Endeavour named Point Lookout, Cape Moreton and Moreton Bay. The next “touch-point” is thought to be in 1803 when a group of Minjerribah men showed Mathew Flinders’ crew where to find fresh water in the Cylinder Beach/Adder Rock area.
Almost 20 years passed before the Surveyor-General, John Oxley, recorded Stradbroke as an island and in 1827, Captain Logan was instructed to establish a convict-manned depot in Dunwich.
Originally known as Pulan by the Nunukul people, Amity Point was home to an Aboriginal population of over 100 at the time of settlement. In 1825 a pilot station was established to guide ships travelling to the Moreton Bay penal settlement via the South Passage. This was Stradbroke Island’s first non-indigenous settlement and closed in the 1840s.
It was in 1850 that Dunwich became Moreton Bay Quarantine Station and only weeks after this proclamation, the immigrant ship Emigrant arrived with typhus on board. Sadly 56 people died, many of whom are buried in Dunwich Cemetery. The Quarantine station at Dunwich closed in 1864 but was used where necessary for about a decade afterwards and in the same year, The Dunwich Benevolent Asylum opened.
In those days, Stradbroke Island was still one whole island (today is of course, North and South Stradbroke Islands). It is thought that perhaps the cargo (which had contained dynamite) from the stricken vessel Cambus Wallace, which had run aground 15 miles north of Southport and had been detonated on site for safety reasons, had destabilised the fragile sand mass as when, two years later, a strong gale blew through the area South Stradbroke Island and North Stradbroke Island were created.
If you’ve ever wondered how some of the spots around our island were named, it was normally because of an event that happened in our past. Cylinder Beach, for instance, was so named due to the acetylene gas cylinders (used for light) that were landed there during the construction of Point Lookout Lighthouse in 1932.
The first tourists to Straddie more than likely came into Amity in 1935 when Hayles Cruises started up their passenger ferry. For many years Amity Point was the main landing place for people visiting the island with Hayles Cruises operating their boats between the island and Brisbane right up until 1970.
Those early, idyllic days came to an end once war broke out and in 1943, a Japanese submarine torpedoed the hospital ship Centaur off North Stradbroke Island where 368 lives were lost. Point Lookout was the site of an American radar station during WW II with a radio direction finder constructed in 1942 at Point Lookout at what is now Tramican Street, by the American armed forces. Later the RAAF took over the operation, which was moved to Point Lookout headland.
Peace resumed and in 1964, Straddie really took off for tourists as the first drive-on / drive-off barge from Cleveland to Dunwich commenced.
North Stradbroke Island, Minjerribah is Quandamooka land. The Government of Australia proclaimed Native Title to the area on 4 July 2011.
And the rest, as they say…. Is history…..
Describe how Minjerribah is perceived by its traditional owners (the Quandamooka people).
Minjerribah is perceived by the Quandamooka people as their traditional homeland and a place that holds deep cultural significance. They have a strong sense of identity and connection to the land and sea in and around Minjerribah. The Quandamooka people have lived on the island for thousands of years, and they view themselves as the caretakers and custodians of the land.
The Quandamooka people see Minjerribah as the source of their livelihood and a provider of life. They believe that the island's waters and islands, as well as the coastal land and streams in the area, have sustained them for generations. They have a deep respect for the natural resources and take responsibility for caring for the Country, which involves preserving and protecting the land, sea, and cultural heritage.
Minjerribah holds a rich history and cultural heritage for the Quandamooka people. They have a strong connection to their ancestors and see the island as a place where their traditions and practices have been upheld and continue to be practiced in contemporary times. They see themselves as the storytellers of their people, using art and dance to communicate and pass down their individual and collective memories.
Overall, Minjerribah is perceived by the Quandamooka people as their ancestral home, a place of cultural significance, and a place where their traditions, identity, and connection to the land and sea thrive. They have a deep love and respect for the island and believe it is their responsibility to protect and care for it for future generations.
Describe the cultural and spiritual value Minjerribah has to the Quandamooka people.
Minjerribah holds immense cultural and spiritual value to the Quandamooka people. It is deeply intertwined with their history, traditions, and way of life. The island is considered sacred, and its land, sea, and natural resources are seen as gifts from their ancestors and the Creator.
Culturally, Minjerribah is a place where the Quandamooka people's traditions and practices have been maintained and passed down through generations. It is a living embodiment of their cultural identity and heritage. The island holds sites of cultural significance, such as burial grounds, ceremonial grounds, and rock art sites, which connect the Quandamooka people to their ancestors and provide a tangible link to their cultural past.
Spiritually, Minjerribah is seen as a place of connection and communion with the natural world and the spiritual realm. The Quandamooka people believe that the land and sea are deeply interconnected, and they have a spiritual responsibility to care for and protect these resources. They engage in cultural practices, such as traditional ceremonies, dance performances, and storytelling, which serve as spiritual expressions and ways of connecting with their ancestors and the land.
The island's natural beauty and biodiversity also hold spiritual significance to the Quandamooka people. They have a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings and believe in the importance of living in harmony with nature. The land, sea, animals, and plants are all considered part of their spiritual and cultural landscape.
Minjerribah is a place where the Quandamooka people find solace, strength, and inspiration. It is a source of cultural pride and a reminder of their enduring connection to their ancestral lands. The island's cultural and spiritual value is deeply cherished and serves as the foundation for the Quandamooka people's sense of identity and belonging.
Describe the environmental quality of Mulumba Point where the proposed development will take place.
I'm sorry, but as an AI language model, I don't have access to up-to-date information or the ability to browse the internet. Therefore, I cannot provide specific details about the current environmental quality of Mulumba Point. Environmental quality is subject to change and can vary based on factors such as pollution levels, biodiversity, and ecological health.
To assess the environmental quality of Mulumba Point, it would be necessary to consult relevant environmental studies, reports, or environmental impact assessments conducted by environmental experts or organizations familiar with the area. These assessments would provide insights into factors such as air and water quality, the presence of sensitive habitats or endangered species, and any potential impacts that a proposed development might have on the environment.
If you are looking for information about the specific environmental quality of Mulumba Point, I would recommend contacting local environmental organizations, government agencies, or conducting a search for recent studies or reports on the subject. They would be able to provide more accurate and up-to-date information regarding the environmental condition of the area.
Point Lookout(Mooloomba) is on the northeast point of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and is the island's social hub. There is a great vibe and atmosphere with some local cafes and boutique shopping with some of the best views in the world!
You will be mesmerised by the impressive natural environment, with kilometres of surf beach and towering rocky headlands. The impressive North Gorge walk at Point Lookout is one of Australia's best land-based vantage points to watch dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and migrating humpback whales (June to November).
Relax on one of the patrolled beaches, go four-wheel driving, explore some of the best dive sites or surf some of the best breaks in the world, then treat yourself to a sensational homemade gelato right across the road while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
There's a wide range of accommodation at Point Lookout - from beachside camping, backpacker's lodge,bed and breakfasts to luxury units and stunning holiday homes, many with private whale-watching towers.
Describe the environmental quality of Mulumba Point where the proposed development will take place.
Mulumba Point, located in Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), is known for its impressive natural environment and stunning coastal beauty. The proposed development at Mulumba Point would need to consider and assess the environmental quality of the area to ensure minimal impact on this delicate ecosystem.
From the description provided, Mulumba Point appears to be a place of significant environmental value, characterized by its kilometers of surf beach, towering rocky headlands, and breathtaking views. The presence of patrolled beaches, diverse marine life including dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and migrating humpback whales (from June to November), indicates that the area is rich in biodiversity and ecological significance.
To determine the environmental quality of Mulumba Point, factors such as air and water quality, habitat diversity, and the presence of sensitive species would need to be considered. Additionally, assessments of soil quality, erosion control, and the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding environment would need to be conducted.
Given the fragile coastal ecosystem, any proposed development would likely need to adhere to strict environmental regulations and consider measures like proper waste management, pollution control, and habitat protection. The environmental quality of Mulumba Point should be maintained or enhanced through sustainable development practices that preserve the unique natural features and minimize negative impacts on the area's ecosystems.
It is important for the developers and relevant authorities to conduct thorough environmental impact assessments and engage with environmental experts to ensure that any development at Mulumba Point is done with a strong commitment to preserving and protecting the area's environmental quality for both present and future generations.