Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk to honour traditional owners
Published Wednesday, 06 June, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Part of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk will be named the Woonoongoora section to acknowledge the contribution of the Yugambeh Language Group as the traditional owners of the Gold Coast Hinterland area.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the naming of the Woonoongoora section linking Lamington and Springbrook national parks acknowledged the significant value and meaning of the area to the Yugambeh people.
“The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk passes through the homeland of the extended families of the Yugambeh people and language group,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The name ‘Woonoongoora’ refers to the Yugambeh legend of how the mountain rivers were born.
“It’s interesting to note that Romeo Lahey, who championed the conservation of the area, wanted the Lamington Plateau to be called Wanungara, an earlier spelling of Woonoongara.
“Mr Lahey’s daughters have worked with the Yugambeh people to achieve this naming of the Great Walk section.”
The naming has been supported by the Kombumerri Aboriginal Corporation for Culture (KACC), Gold Coast City Council and Tourism Queensland.
Ms Nelson-Carr also paid tribute to local elder Ysola Best who recently passed away.
“Mrs Best made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage assessment and cultural interpretation of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Mrs Best was an ambassador for the Yugambeh people and through the Yugambeh Museum, Language and Heritage Research Centre she played a key role in many Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service projects over the last 20 years.
“She was dedicated to bringing to life the Yugambeh Language through stories and parallel naming of cultural placenames throughout the Yugambeh country.
“An eloquent speaker and tireless advocate for her people and her culture, she helped non-indigenous people see the landscape through different eyes.
“Along with many people in the Environmental Protection Agency, I am saddened by the passing of Ysola Best and hope that the announcement of the naming of a section of Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk in honour of her Language Group brings some joy to her family at this sad time.”
The Woonoongoora section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk will link Lamington and Springbrook national parks. The section starts at Binna Burra, runs through Numinbah Valley and up to the Springbrook Plateau. The Great Walk will open in late 2007.
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the naming of the Woonoongoora section linking Lamington and Springbrook national parks acknowledged the significant value and meaning of the area to the Yugambeh people.
“The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk passes through the homeland of the extended families of the Yugambeh people and language group,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The name ‘Woonoongoora’ refers to the Yugambeh legend of how the mountain rivers were born.
“It’s interesting to note that Romeo Lahey, who championed the conservation of the area, wanted the Lamington Plateau to be called Wanungara, an earlier spelling of Woonoongara.
“Mr Lahey’s daughters have worked with the Yugambeh people to achieve this naming of the Great Walk section.”
The naming has been supported by the Kombumerri Aboriginal Corporation for Culture (KACC), Gold Coast City Council and Tourism Queensland.
Ms Nelson-Carr also paid tribute to local elder Ysola Best who recently passed away.
“Mrs Best made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage assessment and cultural interpretation of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Mrs Best was an ambassador for the Yugambeh people and through the Yugambeh Museum, Language and Heritage Research Centre she played a key role in many Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service projects over the last 20 years.
“She was dedicated to bringing to life the Yugambeh Language through stories and parallel naming of cultural placenames throughout the Yugambeh country.
“An eloquent speaker and tireless advocate for her people and her culture, she helped non-indigenous people see the landscape through different eyes.
“Along with many people in the Environmental Protection Agency, I am saddened by the passing of Ysola Best and hope that the announcement of the naming of a section of Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk in honour of her Language Group brings some joy to her family at this sad time.”
The Woonoongoora section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk will link Lamington and Springbrook national parks. The section starts at Binna Burra, runs through Numinbah Valley and up to the Springbrook Plateau. The Great Walk will open in late 2007.
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002