Summary

Artist's statement:

Aboriginal people were nomadic, living off the land, following the hunting and gathering seasons. This ensured our diet consisted of seasonal, organic, fresh produce. The land was like a large organic shopping centre providing all we needed to ensure an optimum lifestyle and good health. By following the seasons and living within family groups we were fit and healthy of mind, body and spirit. Our strong Family and tribal connections gave us companionship, strength and support. Living amongst nature was great for our physical emotional and spiritual wellbeing. By living seasonally Aboriginal people cared for this entire land, and were great custodians, thus ensuring the survival and sustainability of all living things.

Aboriginal people had great knowledge of the land, the plants and animals and their connection through dreaming and creation stories. Strict Lore was passed down to care for every living creature, and to only hunt within the correct seasons. And to always give back to mother Earth.

This painting depicts one of our ancient creation stories. And how the Aboriginal community view health, through our custodianship and connection to Country the environment and our Families.

This story is the story of our MULLET – JULARA Hunting Season and how our people came together to hunt. How we learnt form GUNGA - the Sea Eagle and followed it's lore. And Our Connection with the YULU – The Dolphin.

The young mullet fish is known as Julara (pronounced Jul -u as in bull) this name is shared with the red stringy bark as they are connected in the dreaming/creation.

Kabi Kabi Language name for the sea eagle is Ganga (pronounced gun-gaa)

This old story talks about connections between plants and animals and our people's connection to the land.

When the red stringy bark starts to shed its bark the Kabi Kabi knew the diamond Scale Sea Mullet would be running. They travel in great numbers from the southern cold waters and come up here each winter to warm waters to spawn.

GUNGA The Sea eagle was first to see the mullet running. Ganga taught our people how to start the hunt and and we follow his lore. We designed our spears like the his talon's to easily pluck the fish from the water. And we imitated his hunting tactics, spearing fish from the water.

It was lore to only hunt Julara (mullet) when Julara (red stringy bark) Indicated it was the correct season.

The large circle, top of the painting represents the red stringy bark – Julara.

Lore states that when the mullet arrive in large numbers, the first fish passing are the leader fish showing the young juvenile fish the direction of warmer waters. Ganga the sea eagle would only ever hunt from the middle of the school of mullet. The young Julara follow their elder fish, they are their leaders through the migration and therefore the lead fish gain immunity of being hunted. As Ganga will only hunt the younger juvenile fish so do the Kabi Kabi, as Aboriginal people were taught to follow Ganga's lore and never hunt the lead mullet fish and to only take from the pack what we needed.

Traditionally Aboriginal people practiced the lore of nature, learning from our ancestors and following in their footsteps. We were great warriors and providers for our entire families. We were the custodians and care takers of this great land and were strong and healthy. Living off the land we ate 100% organic and seasonally and were of optimum health Men when hunting would come together every day, share culture, men's business and teach the younger generation of boys and men the ways of our people. As would the women when coming together hunting and gathering each day together practising their lore. As this was important family practice.

CALLING OF THE DOLPHINS - Here in the Moreton Bay, Aboriginal people used an ancient hunting practice to lure in the large schools of mullet closer to shore. We communicated with Yulu – The Dolphin. By slapping the water in a particular pattern and using water percussion, and grinding their spears into the sandstone along the waters edge. Family of Dolphins would hear these calls and drive the mullet to shore where the people were waiting with spears and nets. The Dolphin was never hunted by the Kabi Kabi and was always there to share in the catch. Just as we can call our family dog today and it will respond to our voice / call, as would family groups of local pods of dolphin respond and recognise the calls of Aboriginal families / clan groups. There were different families of dolphin connected with different families of Aboriginal People. At Sandstone Point – Torbul Point on the mainland across from Bribie Island you can still see the evidence of Aboriginal People. Where the people used their spears to grind into the sandstone. There is also evidence and stories of 'calling of the dolphins' across Stradbroke Island and Brisbane clans.

There also are a another important indicator for mullet fish season that could give us a message to know how much or how big are the shoals of such as when there are large flocks of rainbow lorikeet arrive, we knew there would be a large school of Mullet arriving. You can see the Rainbow colours in the background of the painting representing the Rainbow lorikeet.

The Kabi Kabi would see these seasonal indicators and then watch for When sea Eagle starts the hunt of the juvenile mullet, only then do we enter the water spears and nets in hand ready for the hunt.

This painting represents people coming together to share culture, time together and men's and women's business Following footprints of ancestors and lore of land and teaching younger generation. Providing for their family Living of the land provides a rich Diet and nutrients for good health – eat fresh, organic, seasonal foods.

The Julara season is in June / July our winter months. In the painting you will see a beautiful red sunrise typical of Winter sunrise over the Sunshine Coast

The diamond design that can be seen incorporated into the works, is Traditional Kabi Kabi Art design that can be seen painted on ancient shields and boomerangs from the SE Qld regions. This design has been incorporated into the design on the fish in the art works and also painted on the hunters chest, just as Kabi Kabi men would paint them selves up in ancient times during ceremony.

Aboriginal people still come together today to enjoy the rest and relaxation of fishing. Enjoying the environment connecting with nature and spending time with family and friends. This is still an important part of community health.

JCU General Practice Training Program Artwork Series

James Cook University (JCU) General Practice Training program is the regional provider of general practitioner training in regional, rural and remote Queensland. JCU is committed to delivering a high quality program for GP Registrars and working with partners to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In 2018, JCU commissioned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Queensland to design artworks that were representative of a story about the provision of healthcare in the community, for the community, and by the community. The resulting 13 artworks are now proudly displayed in our regional offices across Queensland and featured in JCU resources. This series of commissioned artworks, consisting of paintings, prints and graphics, represents a wide range of artists from early career to professionals who regularly exhibit. Artists included in the series are Sharon Caulfield, Lyndon Davis, Kevin Edmondstone, Karen Hall, Matthew Humphries, Michael McGuane, Anthony 'Gesa' Pilot, Nicky Bidju Pryor, Brian Robinson, Chern'ee Sutton, Janeece Thompson "Goungee" (Water Lily), Belynda Waugh and Nicole Wone.