History

Yaam Gumbaynggirr Jagun – Here is Gumbaynggirr country

The Gumbaynggirr peoples have occupied the Mid North Coast from the Nambucca to the Clarence River since the Yuludarla or the Dreaming.

The Garby Elders, whose name comes from gaabi, the swamp wallaby, represent the traditional custodians of the Northern Lowlands Gumbaynggirr jagun or country.

The deep attachment to country of the Garby Elders is reflected in their oral histories passed down during 4000 years of trade and ceremony at Red Rock.

Despite the ravages that colonialism brought, the Corindi Beach Gumbaynggirr community survived throughout the 20th century by living outside the reserve system in ‘no man’s land’, on the other side of the fence.

Here they could still talk lingo, continue traditional practices and retain their relationships with the cultural landscape.

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation was established at Corindi Beach in the 1980’s with the foundation membership of local Gumbaynggirr people retaining cultural continuity expressed through stories and events associated with specific sites in the local landscape. Its aim was and still is to provide economic, social and cultural opportunities for the Aboriginal community based at Corindi Beach.

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation purchased Lot 170 from the CH&DLALC to establish a Cultural Centre and leased another portion of land to grow vegetables and establish a workshop.During the 1990s, Yarrawarra has purchased Lot 4, adjacent to Lot 170 on Red Rock Rd, and has constructed a large number of buildings in the area. Nuralamee Accommodation and Conferencing Centre was opened in 1999.

Yarrawarra has also established a range of partnerships with government agencies and is deeply involved in cultural land management. Yarrawarra has constructed walkways, conducted weed control and revegetation, as well as cultural research and education projects.

The Garby Elders group was established in 1997 to empower the local Aboriginal Traditional Custodians. The Garby Elders have been extremely active with NPWS and other cultural land management agencies ensuring that cultural places and landscapes are protected and cared for.

In the 21st century, Yarrawarra Cultural Centre is striving to become a first rate cultural ecotourism and education facility, with the Wadjar Art Gallery, Yuraal Coffee Shop, and a range of activities and information for day-visitors as well as Nuralamee Accommodation and Conferencing.

Jalumbo Cultural Heritage Research Unit was established by Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation and the Garby Elders in 2001, to conduct cultural research and training. Since that time, it has been involved in many areas of cultural retention and protection. It also provides advice to local land managers on both Public and private land, Marine Parks, conduct cultural heritage surveys, oral history recordings, archive research, and produce public interpretations such as books, reports and signage.

Yarrawarra focuses on Aboriginal and Islander people maintaining their Cultural Heritage and integrity and in turn gives a special gift to the rest of the world. The Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is proud to be open to the public so they can learn about and enjoy the unique Gumbaynggirr culture.