Latest news with #Gunggandji
News.com.au
05-08-2025
- News.com.au
Beloved 5m croc ‘Big John' found decapitated in net in Queensland
A beloved five-metre saltwater crocodile known as 'Big John' has been found decapitated and entangled in a net in Far North Queensland, prompting an investigation by wildlife authorities as the community mourns the 'devastating' loss. Big John, who measured between four to five metres long and was distinguishable by his missing tail tip, was found dead in a fishing net in Yarrabah Bay, a remote community a 55km drive from Cairns, on July 30. The local legend – that had been monitored by Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji (GMY) Rangers for over four years – was affectionately referred to as the 'Crocodile Casanova of Buddbadoo' as he was often seen basking in the sun with three female crocodiles in the Buddabadoo (Yarrabah) creek system. The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) told it was investigating the matter. 'Anyone with information can provide it anonymously by calling 1300 130 372 or by completing a wildlife complaint form via the DETSI website,' it said. In Queensland, possessing crocodile body parts without a permit is illegal and the maximum penalty for illegally killing an estuarine crocodile is $37,552. A Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation spokeswoman told the Cairns Post it was assisting DETSI with the investigation, noting the crocodile had not become entangled in an abandoned net. 'We can confirm the net wasn't a ghost net,' she said. Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) announced Big John's death in heartfelt post on social media last week, paying tribute to the 'Icon of Buddabadoo'. 'With heavy hearts, we share the loss of an ancient and iconic presence — Big John, the saltwater crocodile who has watched over Buddabadoo for many years,' the post read. 'Big John was more than a crocodile. He was a guardian of our waterways, a link to our ancestral knowledge, and a living reminder of why we protect and care for our land and sea country.' 'Words can't express the sadness we feel at his passing,' GAC added, sharing a poem about the crocodile. Other locals expressed sadness over the shock death, suggesting the croc should be honoured in a statue or children's book. 'Very sad, should put a statue or monument in honour of the big fella down there … Sorry for your loss rangers,' one person wrote. 'Sorry guys for your loss, what a legend Big John was,' said another. 'A devastating loss. GMY should make a book about Big John … a kids book with that beautiful poem at the heart and a story of legacy, icons and Country,' another suggested. Car runs over crocodile at infamous crossing The investigation comes after horrifying footage went viral last week of a ute driving over a crocodile at an infamous crocodile-infested river crossing in the Northern Territory. In the footage, a black ute could be seen making its way through Cahill's Crossing when a large crocodile surfaced from underneath its back wheel. The reptile appeared to be stuck as it is dragged by the car, with its mouth hanging agape. Sensing something was wrong, the ute then attempted to reverse, freeing the animal from underneath its wheels before placing the car in drive and running over the lower half of its body again. Matteo Mastratisi, who captured the wild moment on video, told that it was 'definitely unintentional.' 'It wasn't the driver's fault. You couldn't see the croc until he went over it and he couldn't stop the car in the middle of the crossing either,' he said. Mr Mastratisi believed the got away largely unscathed. Situated within the Kakadu National Park, the river is home to over 10,000 known crocodiles. According to the park's website, there are around five to nine crocs per kilometre. Weighing in on the viral incident, Calare MP Andrew Gee asked Maverick MP Bob Katter if Australia should feel sympathy for the crocodile, in a sit down video shared on social media over the weekend. 'I have to say Bob, I felt sympathy for the croc and I was glad to see the croc swim away from ute,' Mr Gee said, before asking Mr Katter if the nation should feel the same. 'I think that you people are sympathetic to crocodiles,' Mr Katter replied. 'I strongly advocate and I think everyone respects your affection and I think you should get close to crocodiles, you know a lot closer to crocodiles,' he said cheekily with a pause and a grin. Mr Gee asked: 'So I think from all of that, we've worked out Bob that it is OK to have sympathy for the croc?' 'If you're with them,' he said. 'You know, I love my dog and I put my arm around him and that sort of thing and you know, if you love crocodiles, I think you should do that sort of thing,' he replied with a smile, before breaking out into song. 'Never smile at a crocodile,' he sang.
The Advertiser
25-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Ancient legacy continues as tourism mixes with culture
Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Perth Now
Ancient legacy continues as tourism mixes with culture
Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- West Australian
Ancient legacy continues as tourism mixes with culture
Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
