Exploring North Stradbroke Island with the Quandamooka Artist looking to keep indigenous traditions alive

By Tabitha Lipkin

It started as a tour of one of the most beautiful islands in the world, but it ended in friendship with delicious ice cream cones and an important conversation about Australia’s First Nations people.

While out traveling in Queensland Australia, I spent an entire day with Quandamooka Artist, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and learned so much more about the history and culture of North Stradbroke Island, also known as Minjerribah, than I could have possibly imagined. A history with an interesting tie to the United States, and a history that runs deep for Delvene and the indigenous community on the island.

“So this is my mom’s mat made out of the freshwater reed”, Delvene showed me in her shop just off the main street in Dunwich, a beautiful mat made right there on the island from reeds that can still be picked to this day.

North Stradbroke Island is the 2nd largest sand island in the world with about 2,500 residents and is only about 18 miles long at its longest point. It is known for having one of “the most beautiful beaches in all of Australia”, so Australians, travelers, and those visiting from Brisbane love to come over on the 20 minute ferry because it’s a great place to vacation. The island is also home to several spots for cruisers including the Little Ship Club and One Mile jetty. I’ll also include a list here of some of the best anchorages.

Protection from S/SE winds: Myora

Protection from NE/SE winds: Dunwich (One Mile jetty), Deanbilla Bay, Kooryaba, South Dean Billy Bay

Protection from most winds: Canaipa Passage

When looking up more information on the island you might notice South Stradbroke Island as well. The North and South Stradbroke Islands were originally one island, but a storm in 1892 split the island by creating the Jumpinpin Channel, thus, technically, they are two different islands. (There’s also speculation that a ship that detonated some explosives two years prior had something to do with the creation of the channel, but that’s a story for you to dive into on your own).

Some history of the island itself: The Quandamooka people have lived on and around Southern Moreton Bay for tens of thousands of years. Archaeological evidence dates the occupation of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) back to at least 21,000 years ago. 

The first tourists to Stradbroke Island more than likely came to the island in 1935 when Hayles Cruises started up their passenger ferry. Hayles Cruises operated their boats between the island and Brisbane right up until 1970.

In 1943, a Japanese submarine torpedoed a hospital ship Centaur off North Stradbroke Island where 368 lives were lost. Point Lookout was the site of an American radar station during WW II with a radio direction finder constructed in 1942. Peace resumed, and then in 1964, the island really took off for tourists as the first drive-on / drive-off barge from Cleveland to Dunwich commenced. 

Finally on July 4th 2011, The Government of Australia proclaimed Native Title to the area.

This historical information has been provided with the help of the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum, and I’m  very grateful for that, because it allows me to give you, the reader, a little more history on the island.

The Quandamooka people have very significant cultural ties to each of the beautiful landscapes visitors see when visiting.

“Myora Springs, which is a culturally significant place because it’s where our people have gathered shellfish. They’ve cooked and shared it in that space and discarded those shells. So there is a shell midden beside this beautiful freshwater creekway.” Says Delvene.

Delvene also took me around the gorge walk where we saw dolphins, turtles, and kangaroos, and in the winter you can see whales off the shoreline. Then we visited Bummiera Brown Lake, another place which is significant to the Quandamooka people, a beautiful brown lake in the middle of the island dyed brown from the tea trees nearby. But many of the businesses across the island are owned by the Quandamooka people as well.

“Right across the island, there’s over 30 Aboriginal businesses and Aboriginal organizations. So it speaks to this independence and strength on the island, and I’m so proud to be part of that.”

North Stradbroke Island and its First Nations population also have a direct tie to the United States as well. There’s a piece of history directly from the island that is sitting in the United States because of a traveler from San Francisco. 

“In 1853, there was a bag, a freshwater reed bag taken from the island.”

It was an explorer by the name of Carrington Raymond who left San Francisco on a steam ship that had collected the bag made by a Quandamooka person from North Stradbroke Island, returned to the USA and shipped the bag by stagecoach or possibly horseback to the Washington DC area. It still sits in the Smithsonian Museum to this day, and Delvene actually got to see the bag in person.

“I got to visit it last year, and it was a really, really important occasion for me.”

Today, she’s still using the same ancient reed weaving techniques of that bag to make her own art.

“I think, each and every family has their own way of telling their own stories and, you know, being responsible for that, I feel like I’ve been given the responsibility and as part of my role as an artist, and I’m sharing that with my children and my nieces.”

Delvene’s art has an incredible reach worldwide with collaborations with the likes of notable figures like Venus Williams.

“The project with Venus Williams, I was approached to create a design to highlight global inequality and wages between men and women”

So Delvene drew a picture of her great-great grandmother’s basket and put it on a shirt to be sold. She titled the work ‘We are the Matriarchs’ in reference to the work that matriarchs have done for generations. 

She also designed the medals for the 2018 commonwealth games, and continues incredible collaborations world-wide like her pivotal role in The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art’s (QAGOMA) recent annual Design Tracks program. A three-day residential program that brings together Indigenous Australian artists, designers and leaders in the creative industries to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students in Queensland. The program provides participants with an immersive experience that enables them to develop skills and build confidence within a peer-led environment. The students explore creative practices, gather inspiration, and discover new perspectives as they work together on a creative project- a collaboration with Cultural Attractions of Australia. 

“Shining a light on Australia’s cultural heritage is essential for preserving and celebrating the diverse stories that have shaped the nation.” Says Annabell Sullivan, Executive Director for Cultural Attractions of Australia.

“It allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of our rich history and uncover Australia’s cultural identity, from its Indigenous roots to contemporary cultural achievements. Highlighting this heritage also supports the sustainability of the arts and helps preserve these stories for future generations.”

The Cultural Attractions of Australia, represents landmark cultural institutions—including leading galleries, museums, historic sites, performing arts venues, and sporting attractions is another great way to discover more of Australia’s cultural heritage, much like the experience I had with Delvene.

“Visitors will be able to connect with artists, changemakers, and curators in a truly meaningful way by engaging in the unique, curated experiences offered by Cultural Attractions of Australia.”

Each of the cultural attractions tells an important story through immersive experiences. For example, at the QAGOMA, visitors can immerse themselves in a premium experience celebrating Queensland’s unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. This event includes First Nations art, music, native food, dance, culture, and storytelling, offering a deeply personal connection to the artists and their heritage. Allowing for direct interaction with those shaping Australia’s cultural landscape, and creating a deeper understanding and appreciation of the narratives behind each attraction. 

These are important initiatives for the First Nations communities as connectors since their denial for representation in Australia’s Parliament.

During the elections in 2023, the indigenous communities around Australia were hoping for a seat at the table but were denied by voters’ representation as  “the Voice,” a proposed body that would advise Australia’s Parliament on matters related to its indigenous people.

Why was this a significant blow? Well, according to Time Magazine, relative to their non-indigenous counterparts, indigenous Australians on average have about eight years less life expectancy and fall short in a number of other socio-economic indicators, including education and employment levels.

It’s estimated that there’s just under 1 million First Nations people living in Australia, representing about 4% of the total Australian population.

But their communities are eager to have a connection with anyone willing to learn more.

When it comes to North Stradbroke Island, Delvene hopes visitors will remember its history tied to the indigenous population, and her art which is a constant representation of that history being passed down for future generations. 

“Somebody that’s never been to this place, I’d like them to think of this as an island with a very strong Aboriginal presence, and an ongoing Aboriginal history. It is, as we say, the most beautiful place on the planet because of those different environments, the white sandy beaches and the turquoise surf.”

I left the island with so much more insight into Delvene’s art, community, and family history. So I thought the best way to share that incredible experience would be to write it all down, and share it with you too.

You can learn more about Delvene Cockatoo-Collins at cockatoocollins.com or more about the  Cultural Attractions of Australia at culturalattractionsofaustralia.com.