Blog Layout

Tree Planting and Truth Telling at Gummingurru


Reconciliation was on the agenda at Gummingurru for National Reconciliation Week. First Nations, local community, and avid gardeners came together for a round of truth telling and tree planting.


Located north of Toowoomba, Gummingurru is an ancient and sacred site for Western Wakka Wakka Peoples, serving as a stopping point for First Nations Peoples on their way to the Bunya Mountains.


Western Wakka Wakka man Shannon Bauwens, a First Nations man from the Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Corporation (BPAC) led the event with a smoking ceremony and a round of truth-telling at the yarning circle near Gummingurru.


“Reconciliation is about talking to each other. Coming together and making something positive as a community,” Shannon Bauwens said.


“This yarning circle we are standing in now represents thousands of years of storytelling,” Mr Bauwens said.


“Today is all about sharing our stories and finding new ways to come together as a community; whether you are Indigenous or not,” he said.


“We have people from all different Nations, from Western Wakka Wakka, to Bunjalung, Gomeroi, and more.”


“Reconciliation is about talking to each other. Coming together and making something positive as a community,” Shannon Bauwens said.

Reconciliation was on the agenda at Gummingurru for National Reconciliation Week. First Nations, local community members, and avid gardeners came together for a round of truth telling and tree planting.


Located northwest of Toowoomba, Gummingurru is an ancient and sacred site for not only the traditional owners, but for many First Nations Peoples serving as a ceremonial staging ground on their way to the gatherings in the Bunya Mountains.


Shannon Bauwens, a First Nations man from the Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Corporation (BPAC) led the event with a smoking ceremony and a round of truth-telling at the yarning circle near Gummingurru.


“Reconciliation is about talking to each other. Coming together and making something positive as a community,” Shannon Bauwens said.


“This place we are standing in now has thousands of years of history and has always been a place of imparting traditional knowledge and cultural observance, where K’gippa (the initiates) would go through their rites of passage on their journey into manhood,” Mr Bauwens said.


“Today is all about sharing our stories and finding new ways to come together as a community; whether you are Indigenous or not, as this celebrates and honours the traditions of this place; coming together and sharing” he said.


“We have representatives from many different Nations with us today, just as it was in the old days.”


“Gummingurru represents reconciliation in ways very few sites today can.” Shannon Bauwens said.


Gummingurru represents a significant cultural and spiritual site in First Nations history and highlights the interconnectedness that First Nations Peoples had.


“In the old days, you had thousands of people traveling vast distances, some hundreds of kilometres, to visit the Bunya Mountains and partake in the Bunya Nut Festival; thought to be the largest known gatherings in pre-colonial Australia,” Shannon Bauwens said.


“Gummingurru was one of these staging points and also served as an initiation site for young men,” Mr Bauwens said.


“This site is estimated to be around 4000 to 6000 years old and was used until the late 1800’s before First Nations Peoples were forcibly removed from their tribal lands and relocated to missions such as Taroom, Purga, Cherbourg, and Palm Island,” he said.


“They were then were forbidden to practice our customs, speak our language or even function as normal families, due to the segregation in these institutions.”



“Toowoomba is full of avid gardeners, so we had lots of people who even brought in their own shovels, trowels, and just started planting!” Mr Reid said.


“Gummingurru is now under the First Nations stewardship once again, thanks to relationships our ancestors had with some of settlers in the region,” Shannon Bauwens said.


“Gummingurru represents reconciliation in ways very few sites today can.” Mr Bauwens said.


“The property where the bora ground lies was selected by Alfred and Jane Walker in 1882. It was they who saw the Aboriginals using the bora ground, and were of the belief, “to let them be, as so much had already been taken from them already” which was a very enlightened position at the time,” he said.


“Ben Gilbert, purchased the property from Jane Walker in 1948. After hearing reports of stone circles from Errol Beutel, who collected stone artifacts in the area, and from Ben's young daughter who had been playing in the “Fairy Rings”, Ben decided to investigate further,” said Jean Gundry, Ben Gilbert’s daughter who attended the event.


“In 1960 the Queensland Museum confirmed the existence of significant initiation grounds and the site was mapped and properly recorded by the Queensland Museum. Ben then took care of the site until the hand-over in 2000,” Mrs Gundry said.


The bora ground was returned to First Nations People 2000 and was named Gummingurru by the elders meaning “man of the river”, referring to the southern extent of the Wakka Wakka Language, the Condamine River,” Shannon Bauwens said.


“The site is under the direct custodianship of the Gummingurru Aboriginal Corporation. Unlike other Indigenous sites, it was the care of non-Indigenous people like Ben that ensured the site’s original condition was maintained,” Mr Bauwens said.


“That’s why Gummingurru is such a special place for reconciliation because it proves that we can all work together and that we can move forward as a nation towards reconciliation,” he said.


Following the yarning, guests took part in planting over 200 trees from three different native ecosystems including rainforest, semi-evergreen vine thicket, and open woodland species.


Led by SQ Landscapes’ Toowoomba-based Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator and Gomeroi man Geoff Reid, the guests were supported every step of the way through the event.


The Toowoomba team assisted in coordinating with guests on planting, signing in guests as they arrived, and providing logistical support to BPAC and the Gummingurru Aboriginal Corporation in running and promoting the event.


“It was an energetic day. Everyone really soaked in the yarning and truth-telling and then when it came to planting, folks rolled up their sleeves and got into it,” Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator Geoff Reid said.


“Toowoomba is full of avid gardeners, so we had lots of people who even brought in their own shovels, trowels, and just started planting!” Mr Reid said.


“It’s not often that you see communities so eager to do things together like this and it really sang home that today was about coming together, reconciling over the past, and building something new and positive for the future,” he said.


“We had over 70 people come to this event from all walks of life to participate and without that whole community involvement, this event wouldn’t have been possible.”


This project was funded under the Queensland Government’s Celebrating Reconciliation Grants program.


7 March 2025
Screen Type Self Cleaning, Self Propelled Cylinder Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Dumaresq River
7 March 2025
Southern Queensland Landscapes is seeking an experienced and influential Board Chair to lead a multi-skilled Board in managing natural resources across Southern Queensland. This is a 3-year remunerated role based in Toowoomba, QLD, with the flexibility to manage from anywhere in Southern QLD. The ideal candidate will bring: • Substantial experience leading diverse Boards • Strong relationship-building and leadership skills • Expertise in environmental and agricultural matters This role is an opportunity to shape the future of natural resource management, working closely with land managers, community leaders, and industry professionals. Are you ready to make an enduring impact? For more details and to apply, visit www.windsor-group.com.au/job/board-chair-natural-resources-peak-body or contact Mike Conroy at apply@windsor-group.com.au.
3 March 2025
This week marked the final Board meeting for retiring Southern Queensland Landscape Chair, The Hon Bruce Scott AM. The Southern Queensland Landscapes Board hosted a function at Gip’s restaurant in Toowoomba, joined by past Directors, industry stakeholders and the Southern Queensland Landscapes Management team, where Bruce was warmly acknowledged and thanked. Bruce offered special thanks to his dear wife Joan for her support during his period of service to Southern Queensland Landscapes, in particular the warm country hospitality she has offered to many visitors to Roma. Bruce also recognised and thanked Southern Queensland Landscapes Company Secretary Pam Murphy, who has supported Bruce in his service to Southern Queensland Landscapes since the organisation’s inception. 
17 February 2025
Screen Type Self Cleaning Floatation Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer KleenScreen, NZ River Catchment Balonne River
17 February 2025
Screen Type Self Cleaning Cylindrical Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Condamine River
17 February 2025
Screen Type Self Cleaning Floatation Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer KleenScreen, NZ River Catchment Condamine Branch (Chinchilla Weir)
12 February 2025
Screen Type Two Self Cleaning Cylindrical Screens Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Gowrie Oakey Creek
12 February 2025
Screen Type Self Cleaning Cylindrical Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Condamine River
Condamine Headwater
25 September 2024
The Condamine Headwaters, a critical ecosystem in Southern Queensland, has long faced threats from sedimentation, habitat degradation, and thermal regime changes. The Blackfish Project, dedicated to reversing these impacts, unites scientists, landowners, and the community in a shared mission to restore and protect this vital environment. At its core lies the river blackfish, a sensitive indicator of the overall ecosystem health.  Central to the project's success is the unwavering commitment of landowners like Paul Graham. Inspired by the project's vision, Paul reached out to SQ Landscapes seeking support for a solar pump and tank to divert his cattle away from waterways on his property. Paul's deep-rooted love for his land, captured in his humorous quip "I love my land more than I love my wife," is a testament to the powerful connection between people and place that drives conservation efforts.
by Caleb Back 31 October 2023
The Board of Southern Queensland Landscapes recently met in Toowoomba. In addition to the Board meeting, Board and Executive worked through updating SQ Landscapes’ strategy. Company Secretary Pam Murphy highlighted the importance of the latest Board meeting and what it means for the company’s future. “The updated strategy will help SQ Landscapes deliver sustainable natural resource management (NRM) outcomes that improve the lives of people in regional communities now and for the future,” Pam Murphy said. “We’re excited to continue delivering value for our region and build Flourishing Landscapes and Healthy Communities across Southern Queensland under the guidance of the Board,” Mrs Murphy said.
More posts
Share by: