Latest news with #Dreamtime
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Anger erupts as Aussie tourist site 'totally destroyed' in violent act
An Australian tour of important cultural sites has ended in horror after the group's leader found one had been destroyed. A massive naturally formed limestone 'statue' that symbolised the head of a snake had been 'violently desecrated' with what appeared to be some kind of heavy tool. Located out of the way, on the banks of the Greenough River, east of Geraldton in Western Australia, few people knew of its existence. Naaguja Yamatji man Derek Councillor began leading small groups to the Indigenous site around a decade ago, and he believes someone with knowledge of its cultural importance is responsible. Speaking with Yahoo News Australia, Councillor said he was 'angry' when he found the rock in pieces on Thursday. 'It had been there for like generations. My father showed me, his father showed him, and so on,' he told Yahoo News. 'To discover the rock totally destroyed like that on the tour was very sad.' Related: 🌏 Fears for ancient sites under threat from controversial industry plan In the Naaguja language, the snake is referred to as a Bimara. The statue is connected to a Dreamtime legend about it trying to enter the ocean but being stopped by a sea serpent who wounded him. For him to heal his wounds, he had to go back to the Greenough River where he belonged. Because he was there so long, with his head above the banks, the rock took the shape of his head. 'It was a place of significance where we'd go. If we'd fish there, we'd do a little smoking ceremony around the rock to ask for blessings and protection,' Councillor said. 🐍 Bold plan to reintroduce wild animals into Australia's major cities 😳 Sad find in dam sparks warning about daily problem in Aussie bush 🏔️ Search for answers as town buried after mountainside collapses On social media, another community member shared their anger and sadness at the destruction, saying it was more than an act of vandalism. 'This is an attack on our culture, our ancestors, and our spirit. My heart aches not just for what was lost, but for what this says about the continued disregard for our sacred sites,' they wrote. Dozens of people were sympathetic. 'No need for this in our beautiful country at all,' one wrote. 'Heartbreaking. I wish there was more respect in this world. Needless destruction,' another said. But others mocked what had happened with racist comments, deepening the wounds felt by the community. These comments have now been deleted. Councillor told Yahoo he began taking tourists to the site because he thought 'times were changing' and the wider community was more accepting of Indigenous practices. 'Now I wish I hadn't,' he said. He now plans to report the destruction to the Native Title Board. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Visit the heart of Arnhem Land
From the air, Arnhem Land is full of grand gestures: the glint of serpentine rivers winding their way through ancient gorges, a flash of terracotta earth slicing through arboreous countryside, swathes of azure ocean washing up against white sand. On the ground, the experience is no less dramatic as wetlands vibrate with the beating wings of thousands of waterbirds, while dolphins, dugong and manta rays frolic in the waters the Cobourg Peninsula. This is Yolngu Country, one of the most remote and culturally significant regions in Australia. From Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land, it stretches west across the Top End almost as far as Jabiru, covering a distance of 97,000 kilometres. The Arafura Sea along the northern coastline offers some of the best barra fishing in the country, while rocky shelters inland protect rarely glimpsed art that's thousands of years old. And that's just the beginning of what you'll experience on Outback Spirit's 13-day Arnhem Land Wetlands & Wildlife Tour. Country, culture and adventure The tour begins in Nhulunbuy, following a short two-hour flight from Cairns arriving at Gove Airport. Built in the 1960s as a service hub for the local bauxite mine, Gove is a buzzy regional centre and an idyllic gateway to the region. Over two days in Nhulunbuy, you'll experience a special Welcome to Country ceremony on Wirrwawuy Beach, learn about Yolngu culture and bush medicine, and visit the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka (Yirrkala) Art Centre, whose artists are internationally recognised for their remarkable paintings done on bark and totem poles. This is also the seat of the Aboriginal Land Rights movement — in 1963, it was from Yirrkala that the 'bark petition' was sent to Federal Parliament in Canberra. The tour then ventures deeper into Arnhem Land, to the spectacular Arafura Swamp. Home to as many as 300,000 waterbirds, the swamp is a haven for birdwatchers. Onboard a scenic cruise, spot brolgas wading alongside black-necked storks, and listen for the distinctive honk of magpie geese. Later, a 4WD tour around the swamp offers the chance to hear First Nations guides share Dreamtime stories of Country and culture. After two nights at Murwangi Safari Camp, you'll head north-west to Maningrida on Kunibídji Country, where Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge is your home for the next couple of days. The eponymous barra are a big attraction around these parts and there's plenty of opportunity to cast a line as you cruise the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers (plus you'll pick up a few tips from the expert fishing guides along the way). If you're not keen on fishing, exploring the gently winding waterways under the shade canopy of the Ocean Master vessel can feel almost meditative. Later, a visit to the Maningrida Arts and Cultural Centre and Djómi Museum is an opportunity to see and learn about local artists, whose painted and woven works have been highly collectable for decades. This includes the art of Yirawala (1897–1976), the first Indigenous artist to have work included in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. There's more to come for art lovers as the tour moves from Maningrida to Mount Borradaile, where you'll jump in open-back vehicles to explore the hidden rock-art galleries that depict traditional Aboriginal life over thousands of years. Here, you'll witness the breathtaking Rainbow Serpent, the largest known depiction of this powerful creation spirit in Australia, stretching over six metres. This more-than-50,000-year-old painting was kept secret by the local Amurdak people until its reveal in 1987.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Richmond believe Dustin Martin would be a 'great coach'
Richmond legend Dustin Martin has an open invitation to return to the Tigers in any coaching or mentoring role. The AFL's only triple Norm Smith medallist has recently spent time at Richmond, including stepping into the rooms for former teammate Kamdyn McIntosh's 200th game a fortnight ago. Adem Yze, in his second year in charge at Punt Rd, joked he had a coach's shirt ready for Martin when the 33-year-old was there for the Tigers' round 10 clash with North Melbourne. "He's an amazing Richmond man," Yze said on Wednesday. "But not only that, he's such a smart player, and he could be a coach. "He would hate being in here and presenting (to a group as a coach) but out there (at training), the things that he could teach and coach our younger forwards will be stuff that we can't coach. "We've always got the doors always open for him, depending on what he wants to do in his future. "If he wanted to come and mentor or come be a skills coach, he'd be more than welcome. "If he does decide to go down that path, we'd love if he had our colours on. "How small that is or how big that is could be up to him." Yze said No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor, who will miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, was "star struck" when meeting Martin. "There's no better player that can teach goal kicking and snapping and just the execution with the footy," Yze said. "During his playing days, he didn't like that pressure (of talking in front of a big group), but in a line meeting, he was so good, let alone one-on-one. "His impact he had all throughout his career was like high-level coaching in different environments. "To have him around the building recently, and for guys to lean on him and ask him questions ... his impact could be enormous for us." The enigmatic Martin called it quits following 302 AFL games after Richmond's round 21 game against North Melbourne last year. He returned to be farewelled by the Tigers faithful in their final match of last season at the MCG. But the 2017 Brownlow medallist has typically kept a low-profile since, although he did appear in an ad campaign that cheekily hinted he might be open to a commentary career. Talk about Martin making more regular appearances at Punt Rd comes as Richmond prepare to welcome back several of his premiership teammates for their trip to face GWS on Saturday. Captain Toby Nankervis (managed), star forward Tom Lynch (concussion), and midfielder Dion Prestia (achilles) are poised to be selected against the Giants. The trio were sorely missed last Friday night in their Dreamtime loss against Essendon. Injury-prone Prestia made a successful return via the VFL last Saturday night in his first game of the year at any level.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Richmond believe Dustin Martin would be a 'great coach'
Richmond legend Dustin Martin has an open invitation to return to the Tigers in any coaching or mentoring role. The AFL's only triple Norm Smith medallist has recently spent time at Richmond, including stepping into the rooms for former teammate Kamdyn McIntosh's 200th game a fortnight ago. Adem Yze, in his second year in charge at Punt Rd, joked he had a coach's shirt ready for Martin when the 33-year-old was there for the Tigers' round 10 clash with North Melbourne. "He's an amazing Richmond man," Yze said on Wednesday. "But not only that, he's such a smart player, and he could be a coach. "He would hate being in here and presenting (to a group as a coach) but out there (at training), the things that he could teach and coach our younger forwards will be stuff that we can't coach. "We've always got the doors always open for him, depending on what he wants to do in his future. "If he wanted to come and mentor or come be a skills coach, he'd be more than welcome. "If he does decide to go down that path, we'd love if he had our colours on. "How small that is or how big that is could be up to him." Yze said No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor, who will miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, was "star struck" when meeting Martin. "There's no better player that can teach goal kicking and snapping and just the execution with the footy," Yze said. "During his playing days, he didn't like that pressure (of talking in front of a big group), but in a line meeting, he was so good, let alone one-on-one. "His impact he had all throughout his career was like high-level coaching in different environments. "To have him around the building recently, and for guys to lean on him and ask him questions ... his impact could be enormous for us." The enigmatic Martin called it quits following 302 AFL games after Richmond's round 21 game against North Melbourne last year. He returned to be farewelled by the Tigers faithful in their final match of last season at the MCG. But the 2017 Brownlow medallist has typically kept a low-profile since, although he did appear in an ad campaign that cheekily hinted he might be open to a commentary career. Talk about Martin making more regular appearances at Punt Rd comes as Richmond prepare to welcome back several of his premiership teammates for their trip to face GWS on Saturday. Captain Toby Nankervis (managed), star forward Tom Lynch (concussion), and midfielder Dion Prestia (achilles) are poised to be selected against the Giants. The trio were sorely missed last Friday night in their Dreamtime loss against Essendon. Injury-prone Prestia made a successful return via the VFL last Saturday night in his first game of the year at any level.
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bombers' ‘far from perfect' run continues
An injury to defender Ben McKay has propelled Essendon further into uncharted territory with its key-position stocks. McKay will miss the Bombers' trip to Brisbane this week after his foot was trodden on in their Dreamtime at the 'G win over Richmond last Friday. The 27-year-old becomes the 10th Bomber above 190cm to be sidelined in an injury-plagued campaign at Tullamarine. Sam Draper, Nick Bryan, Zach Reid, Nik Cox, Lewis Hayes, Harrison Jones, Jordan Ridley, Kyle Langford and Tom Edwards are all out through injury. Essendon coach Brad Scott said McKay, regardless of the severity of his foot scans, was not getting up for the Lions with travel and a shortened break. 'We're still assessing, he had a scan this morning so we'll get those results, but it's just too tight a timeframe to turn that around for him,' he said. 'He'll be unavailable and hopefully we'll have an update on where it sits later this afternoon or tomorrow.' Ben McKay won't play for the Bombers this Thursday. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia The Bombers could take four picks to the mid-season draft on Wednesday night and play one of their selections as soon as Thursday night. Scott confirmed he was in an unprecedented position as a senior coach but was grateful for the opportunity it had created. 'It is (unprecedented) but if I had had it previously, fortunately we've got a mid-season draft to mitigate that somewhat,' Scott said. 'That's far from perfect either, really, it's just a different challenge for us. We're in a difficult spot in terms of availability. 'The way I look at these things is it'll create some opportunity for others. If we had a 100 per cent availability list we wouldn't have unearthed six debutants this year. 'Angus Clarke wouldn't have got an opportunity last week, which he clearly took. We'll give opportunity to others … we can be down in the dumps and focus on the negatives or be optimistic about the opportunity it creates.' Scott admitted the repetitive curveballs he'd faced this year had forced adjustments to the way the Bombers needed to play. But he's found a 'silver lining' in the 'blank canvas' of the next wave of Bomber youngsters. 'We have but the reality is we're always iterating the way we play anyway, what we're ultimately trying to build with this team is always going to evolve,' he said. 'It's a real challenge having to make challenges to the way we play based on the personnel we've got available. 'But it's really interesting, the younger players we've had come in have actually been fairly easy to coach because they're a blank canvas. 'They've come in and almost to a man have executed what we've asked them to. Again, that's the silver lining to getting young players in who are really eager to learn and keen to execute what we're coaching.'
