Wapabara facts for kids

The Woppaburra people, also called Wapabara, are an Aboriginal Australian group. Their traditional home is on the Greater and South Keppel islands. These islands are off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

Woppaburra Language and Communication

People once thought the Woppaburra spoke the Darumbal language. But an early settler named Robert Ross said their language was different. He noted that people from the mainland could not understand it.

Another early visitor, C. T. Wyndham, said the language had two main dialects. These were a northern and a southern way of speaking. However, another person disagreed. They said mainland Aboriginal people could understand the Woppaburra language.

Life on the Islands: Ecology and Lifestyle

Early European settlers described the Woppaburra people. They said they were small in size. Their hair was a reddish-brown color. Their bodies were covered in soft, fine hair.

The Woppaburra mainly lived in natural caves. They ate fish and plant roots. This was because there were no large land animals on the islands. Animals like kangaroos, opossums, and wallabies were not found there.

In the 1860s, European farmers started settling on their land. At that time, about 60 Woppaburra people were believed to live there. Later, in 1883–84, W. T. Wyndham counted 54 people. Archibald Meston thought the original population was around 200 before Europeans arrived. These different numbers might be for separate islands. One estimate suggests about 60 people on South Keppel and 25 on the northern island.

Unique Physical Traits of the Woppaburra

Studies of human body measurements, called anthropometric studies, show something interesting. They suggest the Woppaburra people were quite different from mainland Aboriginal groups. One study from 1976 said their bone remains showed a "striking instance" of change. This means they had developed unique features over time.

Woppaburra History and Challenges

In the mid-1880s, some Woppaburra people still lived on the islands. They were forced to work on sheep farms for very low pay. Men and women were made to pull plows to prepare the soil. They were given small bits of food. If they refused to work, they were chained in a cave during high tide.

The Woppaburra faced many hardships. There were conflicts with settlers. Some were shot or poisoned. Others were forced into the sea. Their women were also taken by Japanese pearlers. These stories have been passed down by Woppaburra descendants.

In 1897, James Lucas took over the Keppel interests. He moved the Woppaburra to South Keppel island. They lived near his home. Around the same time, there was a disagreement. This was between two government officials. They were the northern and southern protectors of Queensland's Aboriginal peoples.

One official, Roth, wanted them to stay on the islands. He seemed to favor the farmers. The other, Meston, was shocked by their poor living conditions. Roth reported 19 Woppaburra people in 1898. Only 3 were men, and 16 were women. He believed this was due to the Europeans visiting the island. Meston wanted them moved to Fraser Island. He hoped this would keep them away from white people and fishermen.

The remaining Woppaburra people were forced off the island in 1902. One family says they were removed later, in 1910. The bones of two Woppaburra people were taken to museums in London in the 1920s. They were kept at the Royal College of Surgeons and the London's Natural History Museum.

In the early 1980s, Woppaburra elders formed a group. It was called The Keppel Islands Lifestyle Aboriginal Corporation (K.I.L.A.C). In 1983, Elder Aunty Ethel Richards and Angela Van Issum returned to Great Keppel Island. This marked the return of a descendant from those taken in 1902. This led to the first Woppaburra reunion in 1984. About 40 descendants met on Great Keppel Island.

Native Title Rights for Woppaburra People

On December 3, 2021, the Woppaburra people received formal recognition. They were recognized as native title holders. This means they have special rights over their traditional lands. Their native title area covers about 567 square kilometers (219 square miles). It includes Woppa (Great Keppel) and Konomie (North Keppel) islands.

This was a historic decision. It proved their strong connection to the Keppel Islands and the Great Barrier Reef waters. The Woppaburra people were removed from their land almost 120 years ago. They suffered greatly. But this ruling recognized their rights.

The Woppaburra People are the only native title group. They were removed from their country for over 80 years. Yet, they achieved exclusive native title rights over their land.

In 2013, Woppaburra descendants made a claim for native title. This claim was accepted by the National Native Title Tribunal on March 7, 2014.

We Al-li: A Healing Program

The term we al-li comes from the Woppaburra language. It describes a special therapy program. This program helps Indigenous people. It addresses the deep pain from past events, like losing their land. It aims to provide a safe space. Here, people can understand their experiences.

We means "fire". It stands for strong anger. It also refers to using fire to clear the land. This makes way for new growth. This connects to the sacred duty of caring for the land and people.

Al-li means "water". It stands for deep sadness. It also refers to water's healing power. Like rain, it moves through the land. It follows the paths of Moonda Nghadda.

Together, we al-li describes strong anger and pain. It also means a cleansing process. This is important for healing and new beginnings. It includes grieving to help the community heal. This leads to a full healing process.

Woppaburra Descendants Today

About 300 Australians today can trace their family roots to the Woppaburra people. They come from the Keppel Islands.

Elders

• Konomie Richards (1883/5-1973), whose native name was Boombilwan. He passed away at age 90 in Acacia Ridge, Brisbane.
• Ethel Richards, Konomie's daughter, was still alive in 2004.
• Chrissy Hansen-Doherty.
• Albert Ross/Peters (Munquadom) was the last young Woppaburra male to be initiated. He was removed in the 1900s. His daughter is Lillian Peters, whose traditional name is Kalulu. She had eleven children. As of 2024, her children Linette Russ, Gordon Barney, Glenice Croft, Bess Catley, Valmai Burns, Christine Williams, and Vanessa Rogers are alive.

Notable Descendants

• Angela Leitch (Barney) is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at QUT. She is the first Aboriginal Deputy Vice-Chancellor at QUT.
• Dr Harry Van Issum (Sonny) has a PhD from Griffith University. He is the first Woppaburra person to receive a PhD.
• Jackson Van Issum is the lead singer of the Australian Surf Rock band, The Beddy Rays. This band has been nominated for an Aria award.
• Muriel Conomie Stanley (1918–1979) was Australia's first Aboriginal midwife.
• Justine Florence Saunders (1953–2007) was a well-known stage, television, and film actress.
• Marlene Cummins is a jazz blues singer, saxophonist, songwriter, and activist. A short film about her activism, "Black Panther Women," was released in 2014.
• Wayne Blair is an Australian writer, actor, and director.