Corroboree Beach is a 14km stretch of sand located on the eastern side of the island (K’gari/Fraser Island), running south from Indian Head to Wyuna Creek. 

At times, after a blow, you can still pick up small artifacts/relics left behind by warriors from yesteryears.

Corroboree Beach was where the three clans the Butchulla (central), Ngulungbara (northern), and Dulingbara (southern) held their ceremonies of importance while inviting their ancestral spirits to attend and is near the massacre site (perpetrated by settlers, Native Police and a few influential men from that time) at Indian Head.

Elders, Lore Men, Clever Men, and Spiritual men (witch doctors/medicine men) gathered to discuss important issues there while connecting to Country by following the three Lores: 

1. What’s good for our mother (the earth) must come first; 

2. If you have too much, you must share; 

3. Don’t touch or take anything that doesn’t belong to you. 

K’gari these days is about money, control, tourism, and 4WDs. Unfortunately, our island and ancestral home is being destroyed by tourism, as are our native animals (dingoes). 

I ask, how do we manage the existing problems associated with the island if the Minister, QPWS and interested parties can’t sit down and discuss the issues like the men did a long time ago? How can we all live in harmony without discussing the wrongs?

Article contributed by Ian Wheeler HH Dip P.H. Gundir-ru, Traditional Badtjala Elder