Wulli Wulli receive title to their country

In a Federal Court decision handed down in Theodore today, the Wulli Wulli people were officially recognised as the traditional custodians of about 108,000 hectares of land and waters between Moura and Taroom.

Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said the Federal Court determination acknowledged the non-exclusive native title rights and interests of the Wulli Wulli People over land including Theodore and Cracow, part of Isla Gorge National Park and the Precipice National Park.

“Today’s determination recognises the Wulli Wulli People’s non-exclusive native title rights to access, hunt, fish and gather and teach the stories of their cultural association with the land,” he said.

Des Dodd, 62, is the only elected applicant of the Wulli Wulli People to have continuously represented his people since their claim was first lodged in 2000.

“Today’s determination acknowledges the Wulli Wulli people’s strong connection to the country where our ancestors walked, lived, held ceremonies, hunted, fished and gathered food,” Mr Dodd said.

“Lonesome Creek is the heart of our country with many cultural heritage sites where Wulli Wulli ancestors camped, hunted, held ceremonies and gathered food,” he said.

“It holds special memory to me as I lived there with my aunties, uncles and cousins and they taught me to catch yellow belly and eels for food.

“This is where I learnt about my people, culture and tradition.

“Camboon Station is where my father, aunties, uncles and cousins were born, lived and worked.

“Camboon was important to the old people as a camp area and place of gathering and where they held ceremonies. The Elders still tell stories of the old days at Camboon.”

Mr Dodd said the decision meant the Wulli Wulli traditional laws and customs would be acknowledged and observed.

“As the first peoples of Australia, the cultures of my people are essential to our distinctive character as a nation,” he said.

The Queensland Government has also negotiated Wulli Wulli People a Protected Area Indigenous Land Use Agreement to manage the exercise of native title rights and interests in the Precipice and Isla Gorge National Parks.

Under the agreement, the Wulli Wulli people have access to the parks for traditional activities.

[ENDS]                      13 August 2015

Media contact:           Jan Martin       3719 7370       0439 341 314