Gambu Ganuurru facts for kids

Gambu Ganuurru, also known as Cumbo Gunnerah, was a respected Kamilaroi man. He lived in the 1700s in the area that is now the town of Gunnedah in north-west New South Wales. He was also called the Red Chief or Red Kangaroo. Gambu Ganuurru was known as a brave warrior and a strong leader of his people, the Gunn-e-darr.

His Burial Place

Gambu Ganuurru died around 1845. He was buried in a special way, sitting up against a tree that had important symbols carved into it. This was how important Kamilaroi leaders were buried. People respected his burial site, and stories of his bravery and adventures were passed down through generations.

In 1887, a doctor from the town arranged for Gambu Ganuurru's remains to be taken. They were later sent to the Australian Museum, along with a piece of the tree, which was known as The Blackfellow's Tree. In the 1950s, when the museum was asked about them, they could not be found.

Remembering a Great Leader

For a long time, "Old Joe" Bungaree, who was considered the last full-blooded Aboriginal person of the Gunn-e-darr tribe, did not speak about Gambu Ganuurru. This was because of cultural customs. But before he passed away, he shared what he knew with his friend, John P Ewing, a local police sergeant. The sergeant's son, Stan Ewing, wrote down this information, which helped historians learn more.

Soon, Gambu Ganuurru became known as a great Aboriginal leader. His story was even shared in The Sydney Mail newspaper in 1891.

The writer Ion Idriess wrote a popular book called The Red Chief, published in 1953. He was the one who first used the name 'Red Chief' for Gambu Ganuurru.

In the 1960s, the Gunnedah Historical Society put up a sign to mark where Gambu Ganuurru was buried. You can still see this sign today on the footpath near the corner of Abbott and Little Conadilly Streets.

In 1984, a special sculpture was put up at the burial site. It was designed by Dennis Adams, who worked with local Aboriginal people and the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. The sculpture was opened on National Aborigines' Day, September 14th, and officially dedicated by John Lalor, one of the oldest members of the local Aboriginal community.

The bronze words on the sculpture say:

Yilambu giwihr gayir Kambu Gunirah gir ginyi.
Ngihrngu mari ngihrma gayir Gaweh Canuhr.
Ngihrma binal wuraya, wahrunggul yiliyan
maringu Gunidahngu ginyi.
Yirahla ganu wunda dawandah nahbu gayir
gaweh Gawinbara Wuraya.

In times past there was an Aboriginal man
called Cumbo Gunnerah
His people called him The Red Kangaroo.
He was a clever chief and a mighty fighter

(this man from Gunnedah)
Later, the white people of this place
called him The Red Chief.

Dr Margaret Sharpe, an expert in Aboriginal Languages, wrote the Kamilaroi text for the sculpture.