ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

Indigenous.gov.au Connecting With First Nations Australians
Back to Stories

Birian Balunah: Birthing of the Rivers - This Place

15 January 2020
A woman with long dark hair and wearing a blue and white dress stands in a forest. In the background are trees, logs and small shrubs.

Learn the Wanungara story of the creation of the Gold Coast hinterland.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been naming places that were sacred or important to them.

This video is part of an ABC produced series named This Place. It tells the story behind one of these special places:

The Gold Coast hinterland is a great vantage point to take in the east and west, but it also is the setting for a Yugambeh story. The Wanungara story gives life to the landscape, speaking to us of the formation of this country’s magnificent waterfalls, lush rainforests, ancient trees and natural beauty through the spirits of the landscape. The story explores the deeper nuances of respecting Elders, valuing family and being truthful and honest. Under the guidance of Senior Yugambeh Elder Patricia O’Connor, Paula Nihôt project officer with the Yugambeh Museum, tells the story of the Queen and her daughters who created this place.

Find out more

For more information, visit This Place.