Worimi in Port Stephens 

The Worimi people are an Australian Aboriginal group (pronounced Wor-ee-mee) whose traditional lands include the Port Stephens and Tanilba Bay areas in New South Wales.  

The Worimi people have a rich cultural and historical connection to the land, and their presence in the region extends back thousands of years. 

Key points regarding the Worimi Aboriginal people in the Port Stephens and Tanilba Bay areas include: 

Traditional Custodians

The Worimi people are recognised as the traditional custodians of the land in the Port Stephens region, including Tanilba Bay. They have a deep cultural connection to the land, its natural resources, and the surrounding waterways.  

This custodianship extends beyond a mere historical claim; it embodies a profound spiritual connection to the land, emphasising the responsibility to preserve its ecological balance and cultural significance.

The Worimi people express their custodianship through cultural practices like the “Welcome to Country” ceremony, where traditional dances, songs, and rituals are performed to express gratitude and seek permission from the ancestors before entering the land. 

Land and Sea Connection

The traditional practices of the Worimi people reflect a harmonious relationship with the diverse ecosystems of Port Stephens and Tanilba Bay.

The Worimi people traditionally relied on the diverse ecosystems of the area for their sustenance. This included gathering plant resources, hunting native animals, and utilising marine resources from the bays and waterways.

The marine environment provided a generous supply of fish and oysters, crabs and sea birds which they exchanged for flour, tea, sugar and tobacco. Sadly though, with the growth of settlements, their supply of game and materials became restricted, and they also became exposed to disease introduced by the Europeans. 

This interconnectedness with the land and sea sustained the Worimi people for generations until the impact of European settlement disrupted these age-old practices.

Worimi elders share stories of the Dreamtime, emphasising the spiritual connection between the land and the people. For instance, the Worimi Dreamtime story of the creation of Port Stephens, known as “Baiame’s Ngunnhu,” highlights the sacred nature of the landscape. 

Cultural Heritage

The region holds significant cultural heritage sites for the Worimi people, including sacred sites, rock art, and areas of historical importance. These sites are important for the continuation of Worimi cultural practices and storytelling. 

The Worimi and Lt William Caswell & his Family

The family and Worimi people had mutual respect for one another, and a peaceful co-existence and inter-cultural exchange developed between them which saw the Aboriginal people undertaking seasonal work for rations and tobacco alongside convicts and also sharing their knowledge. 

Ceremonial and Spiritual Practices

The Worimi people, like many Aboriginal groups, have ceremonial and spiritual practices that are deeply tied to the landscape. Certain locations in the Port Stephens and Tanilba Bay areas hold particular significance for these practices. 

Colonial Impact

With the arrival of European settlers, including the establishment of the Port Stephens settlement, the Worimi people, like many Indigenous groups, experienced significant disruptions to their traditional ways of life. Displacement, loss of land, and the introduction of new diseases had profound impacts on Aboriginal communities. 

Recognition and Reconciliation

In more recent times, there have been efforts towards recognising and preserving Worimi cultural heritage. This includes initiatives to protect sacred sites, promote cultural awareness, and engage in reconciliation efforts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. 

Land Rights and Native Title

The Worimi people, along with other Indigenous groups in Australia, have been involved in land rights and native title claims. These legal processes aim to recognise and restore Aboriginal land rights and cultural connections to the land. 

It’s important to note that the Worimi people, like all Aboriginal groups, have a diverse and rich cultural heritage. Local Aboriginal Land Councils, cultural centres, and community organisations often play key roles in preserving and sharing this heritage with the wider community.  

To Learn More About the Worimi

To learn more about the Worimi and Aboriginal culture visit Murrook Culture Centre which is located on Nelson Bay Road Williamtown, NSW. Murrook’s purpose is to gather, sustain, protect and teach Aboriginal Culture.

https://www.facebook.com/MurrookCulturalCentre