Bentley Park College is sited on the land of the Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji Clan Group
From the traditional Yidy language group (coastal) interpretation into English meaning:
Gimuy (Cairns) Walu barra (beside, near, belonging to) Yidinji (Nation)
Gimuy-Walubarra Yidi (pronounced ghee-moy-wah-la-burra)
The Yidinji Nation Bama (people) is made up of seven connecting clans:
- Wadjanbarra Yidi (wah-jin-burra)
- Bundabarra Yidi (boon-duh-burra)
- Badjabarra Yidi (bud-jah-burra)
- Mandigalpi Yidi (mun-di-gell-pie)
- Gulgibarra Yidi (gool-gee-burra)
- Bindabarra Yidi (binda-burra)
- Mallanbarra (mall-an-burra)
The 'Country' of this clan extends from south of the Barron River (northern most boundary) and the Freshwater Creek junction, from about east of Emerald Creek Falls, and runs south along the east top of Lamb Range to just south of Mt Peter, then to the head of Mackey Creek (south western most boundary). It continues from the Lamb Ranges east along to Mackey Creek (southern-most boundary) to the mouth of Wrights Creek in meeting with Trinity Inlet upper most reach, taking in the Trinity Inlet and Admiralty Island (the Eastern most boundary).
To understand the Country, we must visualise the sheer beauty, depth and breadth of rainforest flora and the fauna from the western mountains of the Lamb Range to the eastern mountains of Prior Range.
The Nation's countries, inclusive of all the Clans, had no fences or barriers; the only key was based on the significance and customary law (lore) of Welcome to Country via social gatherings.
If you stepped out of the BPC gates in the centuries past, this country yielded all human needs to not only survive but to thrive with plentiful food, water, fresh air, protection, shelter and as many resources required to have a very healthy, wealthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Bentley Park College is very much central in location with cultural significance within the Gimuy Wallubarra Yidinji Nation. The neighbouring tribes are:
- Gungandji (Yarrabah in the East)
- Mamu (Innisfail South)
- Djabuguai (Ngunbay Kuranda North West)
- Muluridji (Mareeba West)
- Irukandji (North east)
- Gugu-Yalanji (Mossman, Daintree North)
There are many of these Nation tribes who survive as individuals, clans and groups, rebuilding strength of connection and education of custom and cultural inclusion of Creator and Creation.
The Gimuy Walubarra Yidi Bama Elders and community are pleased to have open and transparent association with educational institutions such Bentley Park College, which embraces and supports the inclusion of walking, learning, caring and sharing with respect together of Country and humanity.
By Kenneth Reys (Rest in Peace) and Mundu Neville R Reys
Gimuy Walubarra Yidindji Traditional Land Owners (Senior Elders)
Snapshot from our Indigenous triptych mural created by the 2011 Year 11/12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies class, in conjunction with local Aboriginal artist Shane Wallace, on display in our Secondary Canteen area