Northgate Ward

NUDGEE WATERHOLES REDEVELOPMENT

Nudgee Waterholes and Bora Ring

(Posted 2003)

It is hard to believe that just over 160 years ago, the residents in this area had never seen a white person.

Previously, the indigenous people here enjoyed a culture and existence far removed from the hustle and bustle of suburban life today. We are fortunate to have a significant artefact from that indigenous past in our neighbourhood.

The site of the remaining Bora Ring had for many years, been under threat of simply being forgotten.

The Bora Ring and adjacent waterholes are located on the corner of Nudgee Rd and Childs Rd Nudgee.

The Aborigines of Nudgee and the very early settlers had a good relationship. The settlers would share food with them and they in return, would provide mud crabs and fish which had been caught in the salt water creeks nearby. According to Aboriginal folklore, the Nudgee waterholes had never run dry and always held good water.

In the early days, the water was very clean and full of fish, turtles, water fowl and other fauna food sources.The Nudgee Waterholes have a significant cultural history. They were a home and food gathering area to many generations of Aborigines, even after European arrival in the 1840’s.

The waterholes were a very popular picnic and camping area. In the period between 1920 and 1930, the Toombul Shire Alderman William Schulz, used a timber dingy on the water to clean out weed growth. He would keep the area clean as families from all over the north side of Brisbane traveled by horse and sulky to picnic by the waters of the reserve.

Since the war years, the sediments and nutrients from farming and urbanisation had caused the waterholes to silt up and be taken over by reeds, grasses and paperbark trees.

Opening of New Nudgee Waterholes ‘Nar-Dha’ Facility

The Saturday 29th March 2003 opening of the Nudgee Waterholes Nar-Dha project by Lord Mayor Jim Soorley was in the presence of thousands of local residents and Brisbane's indigenous community.

A new $2m cultural, sporting and community facility is now the home of the Banyo Rugby League Club, the Black Diamonds football program, an indigenous interpretive centre and the Banyo RSL.

The waterholes have also been rejuvenated through a two year program of removal of sediment and vegetation and the construction of walking trails and interpretive signage. 12 native Spangled Perch were released into the water as part of the opening celebrations. It's expected they will breed rapidly, and with the black ducks and turtles already present, will become friendly 'locals' at the new waterholes viewing platform.

Councillor Kim Flesser said the project was a real challenge that finally came together in the last few days.

"The needs of the football club, cultural sensitivities and the tight budgeting and construction process, placed enormous strain on all those involved. The football fields looked splendid, the indigenous cultural centre was magnificent and the uniquely architecturally designed clubhouse was efficient and functional.

"One of the most important aspects of the project was to give proper recognition and protection to one of Brisbane's only remaining Aboriginal Bora Rings. Even though there's been generations of neglect, the ring can be still easily be distinguished. Interpretive signage and a viewing platform assist in gaining an insight into this culturally significant artifact from Australia's history.

"In 1895, the Queensland Natural History Society called for the preservation of the Nudgee Bora Ring, not only for remembrance of the former inhabitants, but for the sake of future generations. It truly is a pity that it's taken 108 years for this to take place.

"Worthwhile projects that encapsulate our past, our present and our future, simply don’t just happen. This has been a wonderful collaborative effort between indigenous groups, the football club, community organisations, local historians and the Brisbane City Council.

"I have every belief the new centre will capture the imagination of our local community and grow to become one of our most valuable assets."