We are Woppaburra

The Keppel Islands comprises of the North and South (Great) Keppel Islands and a group of smaller surrounding islands off the central-east coast of Queensland, Australia.

 

The Woppaburra people have a living history on North Keppel Island that has been documented to date back approximately 5000 years. On South (Great) Keppel it is estimated up to 700 years.

 

Prior to European settlement in  1884, it is estimated the population was approximately sixty people lived on South Keppel Island andapproximately thirty people lived on North Keppel Island.

 

The Woppaburra People lived near the coast in dwellings made by bending saplings into an arch, thatching them with ti-tree bark and pilingearth and stones around the sides. The land and seas provide a rich arrange of food and resources to supoort a self sustaining culture. 

 

The first recorded visit to the Keppel Islands occured in 1865 and subsequently bring decades of unimaginable cruelty and violence towards Woppaburra people .

 

Between 1865 and 1902Woppaburra people that were left on the island (mainly women) were worked as slaves, were poorly fed and clothed and on occasions punished and sexually assaulted.

 

In 1902, the last seventeen survivors were forcibly removed.

 

The apical ancestors are

• Yulowa 'Weerobilling'

• Nellie 'Ooroong-ooran'

• Oyster Maggie

• Franny Lohse (mother of Fred Ross)