Darumbal On Country at Tunuba (Fitzroy River) Preview

Mayimba (welcome) to Rockhampton, Queensland.

Mayimbagu Darumbal Nunthi – Welcome to Darumbal Country. Darumbal is the name of the Aboriginal people who have lived in, and call this part of Central Queensland Yaamba (home), for thousands of years. We come from thousands of generations of strong proud people. A physical, spiritual and emotional relationship, has existed between our country and ourselves from time immemorial. Today, we Darumbal people continue to practice our ancient culture and speak our language, which we now happily share with all others who also call this area Yaamba. Darumbal people are proud that they and other Indigenous people have worked hard in all different industries alongside non-Indigenous people to help make this place what it is today.

Yadaba wiyi binbigu yinhami narni gunhami wu mundarragu ngallirranga dabu nguga binbi narragu yirragu muli galagan. Please respect and be good to this country that gives life to us all, enjoy yourselves, and stay safe.

Nhaya Nicky Hatfield, Darumbal Elder

The Darumbal people are the traditional land custodians of the area in the Fitzroy River catchment, and they call it ‘Tunuba.’ The catchment area of the river occupies an area of 142,665 square kilometres and consists of both saltwater and freshwater divided by a barrage.

The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton is often utilised for recreation. The Rockhampton Ski Gardens on the Fitzroy River just upstream from the Fitzroy River Barrage is used by sporting groups such as the local water skiing, dragon boat and rowing clubs. The CBD Riverside Precinct is home to Rockhampton's annual Rocky River Run, markets and festivals including the annual Rockhampton River Festival which celebrates art, culture and the river. It is also home to many annual fishing competitions.

The Fitzroy River (Tunuba) is famous for barramundi, pronounced “bardda moon de” by the Darumbal people, defining the Fitzroy River catchment as a genuine home of the barramundi in Australia.

As the largest river catchment on the Eastern seaboard of Australia, the Fitzroy River (Tunuba) provides prime estuary, freshwater and marine fishing options with barramundi, king threadfin and giant trevally being the favourites.

The lower reaches of the river are home to saltwater crocodiles and snubfin dolphins have been known to inhabit the mouth of the river and an interesting fact for some, The Fitzroy River turtle, commonly known as the ‘bum breathing turtle’ also calls Tunuba home.

Darumbal people have a strong cultural connection to the river, having used it as a life source for many years. They would travel up and down the river from the mouth to their boundary in the mountains hunting, fishing and gathering. They would use the river to teach their children culture and perform ceremonies with other tribes.

There are many dreaming stories about Tunuba and lots of special places along the river, some places are healing places and others Darumbal people were forbidden to utilise.

Darumbal’s cultural connection goes back thousands of years, performing ceremonies on the river and living off the river, particularly for fishing.

Tunuba being both freshwater and saltwater, today divided by a barrage, is significant to the Darumbal people, as they utilised it as a life source. They would hunt in the saltwater, catching barramundi, king threadfin, mullet and crabs, and use the freshwater for collecting clams and catching yellow belly.

The Darumbal people believe that the Munda-Gadda (the Rainbow Serpent) created all the waters in the land, its rivers, creeks and streams, it created the underground rivers and lakes and is the rain.

Rockhampton Regional Council commissioned artist Raymond Garrett to install ‘The Rainbow Serpent’ as part of the Fitzroy Adventure Playground on Quay Street. This artwork is made from cast concrete with five pigments of colour including moss green, cobalt blue, ruby, terracotta and citrus cream. It was commissioned by Rockhampton Regional Council as part of the Riverside Revitalisation 2016 – 2018 with funds from the Australian Government, the Queensland Government and the Rockhampton Regional Council.

To the Darumbal people, safety is about protecting each other, learning how to survive the tides, the floods and the dakani (crocodiles). Just because you can’t see a crocodile, it doesn’t mean there is not one close by. Crocodiles can stay underwater for more than an hour. Even large crocodiles can be completely concealed in knee-deep water, so it is important to respect the crocodiles and other creatures like sharks and stingrays to stay safe.

Darumbal People are the Traditional Custodians of the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast Area.

Darumbal People have a strong continuous connection to Darumbal Land and Sea Country. With the intent to move forward and provide opportunities for progress and growth of the Darumbal people, they protect all aspects of their culture that have been a part of their history for thousands of years.

Under the State of Queensland legislation, Darumbal Enterprise is the Cultural Heritage Body for the Darumbal Native Title Claim area. Their purpose is to undertake cultural heritage in accordance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003.

Darumbal Cultural Heritage Team offer valuable consultation and facilitation services to ensure cultural heritage obligations are achieved. They have extensive knowledge of Darumbal Country, environment, lore, customs, areas of significance and artefacts.

Darumbal Enterprises offer many services including support programs, educational workshops and ceremony services.

Advance Rockhampton proudly work in consultation with Darumbal Enterprises as the traditional custodians of Darumbal Country.