The Limilngan-Wulna People
The Limilngan-Wulna people speak for this land and call Beatrice Hill “Ludawei”. The three hills represent Turtle Dreaming called Lulak. This site is an important part of local Aboriginal culture as it is a significant ‘dreaming site’ created by an ancestral Travelling Woman creation-spirit. The Limilngan-Wulna people request public recognition of the significance of the site for their people.
Window on the Wetlands is staffed by Limilgan-Wulna people and they aspire for Window on the Wetlands to be a place where the people feel welcome. The Limilgan-Wulna people also manage other commercial services from Window on the Wetlands including events and the sale of indigenous art. Art work from the Limilgan-Wulna people is available for purchase from the top floor of the visitors centre.
Ludawei Long-necked Turtle Dreaming Story
The old Turtle Woman came from the eastern side of the Mary River near Shady Camp. The granite boulders that rise out of the black soil plains represent the backs of young turtle. After creating a Banyan tree close to this site, she crossed the Mary River. She travelled west under the black soil plain around Alligator Head and emerged at Ludawei on the eastern bank of the Adelaide River. From here she crawled underground to a ridge northeast of Fogg Dam. She then travelled south to Litchfield Creek where she remains in a patch of tropical rainforest at Daminmin Jungle.
Wayirnima Dingo Dreaming Track – Wild Dog Story
The Wild Dogs (dingoes) travelled from the east, crossing the Mary River. They then moved across the plains to a billabong, visiting a spring where they met Brolga. From the spring a group if wild dogs, consisting of a dog, a bitch and their male pup crossed the salt water of the Adelaide River in the area Ludawei also referred to as Beautrice Hill. The pup “Wayirnima” remained in the landscape at the site Wayirnima whilst the female moved on to the rainforest area west of Ludawei and then on.
Post cards and book marks that tell these stories are available for purchase from Window on the Wetlands.
The Kenyon Family
The Kenyon Family are the traditional carers of “Ludawei”. Graham Kenyon speaks on behalf of his family.
 Graham Kenyon |
 Joan Kenyon with her family |
Joan Meniyen Kenyon is Graham’s mother and is a senior elder of the Wulna people. She has responsibility for the Fogg Dam area and passing on knowledge to the next generation of Wulna people. She regularly takes the children out bush, educating them about bush foods and sacred sites.