Artists' concepts revealed

Artists Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and Belinda Close have revealed the concepts for their public art placemarkers at Mulumba (Point Lookout) and Pulan (Amity Point).

Belinda shares the story of Mirriginpah the sea eagle and its association with Pulan (Amity Point).

While soaring above, Mirriginpah searches in the Quandamooka waters for fish, eels, crustaceans, sea snakes, small birds and mammals and is of great cultural significance to the Quandamooka People.

Mirriginpah is an important yuri and helper for the community, and the Quandamooka People recognise its connection with sea country.

The last high hill overlooking Quandamooka waters and the ocean at Pulan is called Mirriginpah.

On a tall tree on this hilltop, there was for many years the nest of a white sea eagle with pink eyes, and the Noonuccal, Ngugi and Goenpul people called the hill Mirriginpah after this nest and the eagle.

There is a long-told story of Mirriginpah:

When the season of the mullet schooling was near, the eagle would fly high in the sky until nearly lost from sight, and remain almost motionless as the sun was reaching midday.

For days, Mirriginpah would circle and soar, watching seawards and at the same time being watched itself.

For the Quandamooka People knew its custom from year to year, and repaired their tow-rows, or completed new ones in preparation.

Soon the day would come when the eagle would stop its circling and hover near the point called Pulan.

Then a silence would almost come upon the clans.

Soon, a cry would be heard as Mirriginpah would be seen flying quickly seaward.

The reason why?

Mullet season had commenced – Mirriginpah had given warning.

Belinda’s art, which also acts as a weather vane, will be installed at Cabarita Park, Pulan.

Mulumba (Point Lookout) placemarkers will be installed at the Gorge Walk trail head, opposite the shops. A small Council information hut that is past its useful life will be removed to allow for sight lines to the artwork.

Delvene shares the importance of the Eugarie to the Quandamooka People and its association with Mulumba.

She states: “The eugarie shells stand as they are often found – in the shallow waves, within the sand and on the midden.

“On this side of the island, remnants of this shell have been found – evidence of places of gathering and significance of this food source for the people of this island.

“This new marker, honouring those places of gathering and those who gathered, now also marks the place for ongoing gatherings.

“The eugarie shell is symbolic of people coming together.

“The patterns on the outer layer of the shell reflect the weathered patterns.

“Where they are placed allows the viewer to walk through and around – feeling the texture of the weathered shell.”

These place markers will also include information on the story behind each work of art as well as vertical location signage elements that can easily be seen from the road and include dual naming.

The placemarker project is being funded by Minjerribah Futures, with Redland City Council leading the project and Quandamooka Yoollooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation contracted to deliver the artworks.

Council is leading community engagement on the designs. This has included engaging with the community at the Point Lookout Markets at the Minjerribah Futures stand, as well as meeting individually with business owners and key groups across the island in July.

The works will be installed later this year.