Boodjamulla NP handed back to Waanyi

Recent ABC News story about the return of Boodjamulla National Park in outback Queensland to Waanyi traditional owners after decades of campaigning. A landmark agreement gives the Waanyi people an equal role in managing the park alongside the state.

Hayley Iles, chair of the Waanyi Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC), which represents traditional owners, said the handback felt like “a long-awaited homecoming”.

“The land breathes again,” Ms Iles said.

“Our elders fought very long to let everyone know that this is our country. This is our land. This is where we do our practices.

Source – read full story: ABC News

Where is Boodjamulla National Park?

The park lies on the traditional land of the Waanyi (part of which was previously part of Injilarija land). In the 1870s European settlers moved into the area and started running cattle, with a number of smaller properties amalgamated to create Lawn Hill Station, one of Queensland’s largest cattle stations. An area of station land was given by the owner to the government as Crown land in 1984 (with a further grant in 1992), to be used for public benefit. The Waanyi people were granted native title in 2010.

The land lies across sandstone ranges, with creeks and rivers crossing it. The outstanding attraction is Lawn Hill Gorge. The park is home to a wide range of native wildlife and is classified as an Important Bird Area.  (Wikipedia)