Acknowledgment to Country

Travelling the River by Goompi Ugerabah 2021

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"Broadwater Dragons acknowledges the Kombumerri people, Saltwater people, who are the traditional custodians of the land and waterways we meet and train on. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and emerging as they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of First Nations People. 

We paddle on the Nerang river, named after the shovel-nosed rays which were an important food source. We paddle when the tea-tree (wudjuru) flowers, signalling big rain (moogerah). We paddle when the whiting is running, as the yellow Wattle flowers in early Winter. We paddle when the orange Wattle signals the mullet run from Winter to Spring.

We paddle all year round and observe with respect the work of the Kombumerri people, and the Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Incorporated, who have cared for this country for thousands of years so that we can enjoy our sport here."

The Broadwater Dragons Paddling Club Acknowledgment to Country was created in consultation with Justine Dillon, Kombumerri custodian and project officer at Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Incorporated, 2021