Gebar Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Gebar
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A map of the Torres Strait Islands showing Gebar Island in the northern central waters of Torres Strait
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| Geography | |
| Location | Northern Australia |
| Coordinates | 9°45′54″S 142°37′39″E / 9.76500°S 142.62750°E |
| Archipelago | Torres Strait Islands |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Torres Strait |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | Queensland |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Gebar is an island located in the Torres Strait, a body of water between Australia and Papua New Guinea. This island is part of the Australian state of Queensland. It is an uninhabited island, meaning no people live there permanently.
Contents
Exploring Gebar Island's History
Gebar Island has a long and interesting history, including its discovery by Europeans and changes to its name over time.
Early European Sightings
The first time Europeans officially saw Gebar Island was on September 10, 1606. This sighting was made by a Spanish explorer named Luís Vaz de Torres. Many years later, on September 11, 1792, another explorer named Bligh recorded seeing the island. He described it as "an island with two hills" and named it 'The Brothers'.
Changing Names of Gebar
Over time, Gebar Island has been known by a few different names. After Bligh's sighting, it was sometimes called Brothers Hills or Two Brothers. You might also see the name 'Gabba' on older maps. This is an English version of the original name.
Traditional Owners of Gebar Island
The original people who have a deep connection to Gebar Island are known as the Gebaralgal. They are the traditional owners of this land.
The Gebaralgal People Today
Today, the Gebaralgal people live on Yam Island. This island is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Gebar. Even though they live on Yam Island, they still have strong ties to Gebar.
Native Title Rights
On December 13, 2004, a special decision was made in the Federal Court of Australia. This decision recognized the native title rights of the Gebaralgal people over Gebar Island. Native title means that the traditional owners have special rights to their ancestral lands and waters.
A member of the Gebaralgal group, Mr. Dick Peters, explained their connection to the island. He said that the Gebaralgal have always used and lived on their land. They also have the right to use its natural resources. For example, his family often visits Gebar to hunt for turtles and collect turtle eggs. They also fish from the beach and gather plants for food and other uses. This shows their ongoing connection to the island and its resources.
Shipwreck Near Gebar Island
In December 1913, a small sailing ship called the Newton ran into trouble near Gabba Island. The Newton was a type of boat called a ketch, which is a sailing vessel with two masts. It sank off the coast of the island.
