Kuyurru Game Trail open and ready to play in Cairns

A Traditional Indigenous Games project at Yorkey’s Knob in Cairns will raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history and help to get people active.

Officially opening the new trial today (Friday) during NAIDOC Week celebrations, Acting Minister for Sport and Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the project featured eight Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games that complemented the redeveloped foreshore.

“It’s fantastic to see the Cairns community embrace this project and discover the traditional games that were played by indigenous children across Queensland,” Mr Crawford said.

“Many of the games at Yorkey’s Knob were used by children to develop the skills they needed for hunting and for protection.

“The timing of this celebration can’t come at a better time - during NAIDOC Week celebrations.”

The Game trail features a series of signs in the Stay and Play precinct with instructions about how to play each game, which have been played for thousands of years.

“Local artist and The Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation member Patricia Singleton, a Yirrganydji woman and elder created the art work design for the trail signage.

Ms Singleton said the majestic jelly fish is a traditional design and the name of the trail, Kuyurru, means Wind, Sea Breeze.

“As a Traditional Owner for Yorkey’s Knob, I am very thankful for the opportunity to be involved in promoting the Indigenous Games here,” Ms Singleton said.

“The jellyfish symbolises the Yirrganydji People and our country - Cairns to Port Douglas.

“The Yirrganydji People are excited about being involved in the design, creation and launch of the iconic signs that will ensure their culture is recognised in the area as well as respected and protected.”

The traditional Games at the site are:

• Kaidu badu – who can swim the longest distance under water played on Mabuaig Island
• Edor – a chasing-tagging game which originates in Aurukun
• Marngrook – a game of catching the ball, like Australian Rules Football
• Buroinjin – a game using a kangaroo skin ball played by the Kabi Kabi people
• Kokan – a hockey-like game played with bamboo clubs on a sandy beach
• Taktyerra – involves players throwing sponge balls
• Weme – a stone bowling game where each player tried to hit his opponents stone
• Kalkadoon kee’an – a game where a large bone was thrown over a net into a pit or hole

Mr Crawford said the games project was completed in conjunction with the Cairns Regional Council, Nature Play Queensland and Embracing 2018 – XXI Commonwealth Games Legacy Program.

“Each Indigenous game activity trail links with the usage of the foreshore area and I encourage people to get active by playing these Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games,” he said.

“The Office of the Commonwealth Games provided $65,000 in funding provided to create trails in Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast.”

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Media contact: Tim Auguston 0417 768 626