New Gubbi Gubbi claim for native title includes Noosa
THERE is very little doubt about what King Tommy of Noosa would have to say if it was possible to ask him about the latest Gubbi Gubbi native title claim, which includes Noosa as well as the rest of the Sunshine Coast.
There has been quite a deal of conflict among past claimants as to even whether the local tribe should be called the Gubbi Gubbi or Kabi Kabi.
And there are accusations among parties connected to previous native title bids of indigenous outsiders with no connection to the local lands, between Childers and Caboolture, "claim-jumping" the rights of local descendants.
Now the Queensland South Native Title Services is assisting a Sunshine Coast-based Kabi Kabi /Gubbi Gubbi People native title claim group to develop a new native title determination application to be filed in the Federal Court of Australia.
And among a long list of names published, who may have descendants interested in becoming part of the claim, is that of Tuppernywoe - or "King Tommy of Noosa" as he was known in the early days of Tewantin's white settlement.
Tuppernywoe made it quite clear to one scribe of the day who happened to speak with him: "Me belong this place. This my river, my land - all belong to me".
His quote is from an article by Braiga in the Queenslander publication in 1897, which features in the Cooloola Coast publication by Elaine Brown where he is mentioned as among the last of his local tribe.
QSNTS principal legal officer Tim Wishart told the Noosa News this week the application sought formal recognition under Australian law that native title continued to exist within the area claimed.
"The recognition of traditional rights and interests would give native title holders the opportunities to continue to follow traditional custom and activities such as accessing areas to maintain important places and sites, or teach law and custom on country," Mr Wishart said.
"Recognition of native title does not interfere with freehold property rights.
"For most of the areas where native title is claimed in Queensland South, the country will be shared by the native title holders and other people with rights and interests in the same area. The Sunshine Coast area is consistent with this."
And Mr Wishart said a successful claim would recognise that the traditional owners of the Sunshine Coast have special rights and interests that come from their traditional laws and customs.
"And recognition that they are the right people for this country," he said.
Mr Wishart said significant historical and contemporary research about the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi People's connection to the Sunshine Coast has now been finalised.
"It is proposed that this research will form the basis of the native title claim application. A claim group authorisation meeting aims to make decisions by the claim group about how a native title determination application will be pursued.
The authorisation meeting will be held on November 3 at 9am in the Gympie Conference Centre. For more information phone QSNTS on 1800 663 693.
