Worimi facts for kids
The Worimi (also spelled Warrimay) are a group of Australia's First Peoples. They come from the coastal areas of New South Wales, Australia, specifically around Port Stephens and Great Lakes. Before European settlers arrived, their lands stretched from Port Stephens in the south up to Forster/Tuncurry in the north. They also reached inland as far as Gloucester.
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Worimi Traditional Lands
The Worimi people's traditional lands covered a large area, about 3,885 square kilometers (1,500 square miles). These lands stretched from the Hunter River up to the coastal town of Forster, near Cape Hawke. Their territory also included Port Stephens and went inland towards places like Gresford, Dungog, and the upper Myall Creek. To the south, their country reached Maitland.
How Worimi People Lived Together
The Worimi people were organized into four main groups, often called 'bands'. Each band lived in a specific part of the Worimi country.
- Garuagal: This group lived along the tidal parts of the Hunter River, from its mouth up to Maitland. Their name comes from 'garua', meaning 'salt-water'.
- Maiangal: This band lived along the sea-shore south of Port Stephens. Their land also extended inland towards Teleghery Creek.
- Gamipingal: This group lived on the northern side of Port Stephens. Their territory was on the left bank of the Karuah River and east towards Tea Gardens. Their name comes from 'gami', meaning 'spear'.
- Buraigal: This band lived on the right bank of the Karuah River. Their lands stretched up to Stroud, starting from Limeburner's Creek.
Early European Contact
In 1824, a British company called the Australian Agricultural Company was formed. Their goal was to develop land in the colony of New South Wales. In 1826, a company agent named Robert Dawson set up a settlement near Port Stephens. He started farms and outposts in the area.
Dawson later wrote about the Worimi people. He described them as a "mild and harmless race." He also noted that any problems caused by the Worimi were often due to how badly they were treated by some settlers. He mentioned that the Worimi often told him that "white pellow" (white fellows) had harmed their family and friends. Dawson said he saw many children whose parents had been hurt by settlers in that area.
Worimi Lifestyle and Resources
The Worimi people lived off the land and sea, using the natural resources around them. People living near the coast especially enjoyed marine foods, like shellfish. These foods were a reliable source of food. Land animals and vegetables were also eaten to add variety to their diet.
Animals that were common in their area included kangaroos, goannas, possums, snakes, and flying foxes. For vegetables, they ate fern roots, the stalks of the Gymea lily, and the flowers of the banksia plant.
Worimi Today
Today, the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council works with Worimi descendants. They aim to create opportunities that help promote, support, and protect Worimi culture and heritage. In July 2016, the New South Wales government officially recognized a 5.9-hectare (14.6-acre) area in the suburb of Soldiers Point. This land was recognized as historically important for Aboriginal people, especially for its cultural and spiritual meaning to the Worimi.
Other Names for Worimi
- Bahree
- Cottong
- Gadang, Kutthung, Guttahn, Kattang (language name)
- Gingai/Gringai/Gooreenggai
- Karrapath/Carapath
- Kutthack
- Molo
- Port Stephens tribe
- Wannungine
- Warrangine (at Maitland)
- Warrimee/Warramie
- Wattung/ Watthungk
Some Worimi Words
- garua, ('salt-water', which is why the group name 'Garua-gal' means 'belonging to the salt water.')
- gami ('spear', which is why the name Gamipingal means 'belonging to the spear')
