Southeast Queensland was home to a number of aboriginal people who lived in extended family groups or “clans”. This formed part of the larger community of people – all who spoke the same language or dialect. All families had their own territory and a number of permanent camps were set up. Movement between the camps was planned and logical – all in relation to the changing seasons and new food sources. Logan city was the connection between two major language groups – the Yugambeh and Jaggera.
The Yugambeh people lived to the south and the east of the Logan River. Their eastern border was the sea, and southern border was the Tweed River. It is suggested that there were eight family groups within the Yugambeh. Of these eight groups, the one who
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In 1860 Thomas Hanlon recorded that settlers were always glad to see the native Aboriginal people and during these times they were able to exchange flour, sugar and tobacco for fish, kangaroo tails, crabs and honey. Kate Roche from (what is now known as) Rochedale told descendants that during the 1860’s and 70’s that the local Aboriginal people had been very helpful to them. In the late 1880’s Sally Dennis from (what is now known as) Daisy Hill recalled when a group of Aboriginal people arrived and were hungry. Her family gave them sweet potatoes which the Aboriginal people roasted. It was mentioned that the Aboriginal people spoke very little, ate the potatoes and left the area.
In the 1996 Census, it was recorded that 3180 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were living in Logan City. This represents 1.6% of the Logan City population.
It is important to take into account the area’s history when creating a curriculum for children as some of these families may be direct descendants from the original inhabitants of the land. Where possible, there should be Aboriginal activities included in the curriculum – perhaps creating nets or fishing rods out of what can be found in the garden and some string. Or perhaps learning about native plants and animals and how they were once consumed. Perhaps also we could learn certain words in the local aboriginal dialect