2015-11-10 - P&O Agenda - Item 7, Attach 1 - Historical Ecology of the Noosa Estuary Fisheries

“The [midden] is at Hay's Island at Noosa Heads where a heap of oyster shells rising
on a small piece of elevated ground amongst the mangroves bears testimony to the
feeding habits of the former natives of the Noosa River estuary. An effort should be
made to preserve this small piece of history when the development of Hay's Island
eventually takes place, before it becomes buried or torn apart by the sand pumps
and bulldozers...” Nambour Chronicle, 9 Feb 1967.


The remains of middens also occur within the Noosaville region, although many
have not been documented in detail. For example, in 2014 a preliminary survey
was undertaken on a midden located in central Noosaville (ARCHAEO 2014),
within which oyster, cockle and mudwhelk shell remains were found. This
midden had already been largely destroyed and its remains were at further risk
from development. Archaeological studies and the archival evidence, although
limited, clearly indicate the significance of the marine and estuarine resources to
indigenous people prior to the arrival of Europeans (McNiven 1991).


The importance of oysters to the Kabi Kabi Traditional Owners within the Noosa
region is also signalled by further references to oyster fishing, one of which
refers to an observation of people diving for oysters from a boat (Nambour
Chronicle, 17 Jun 1927), another which references the gift of a sturdy oyster boat
provided to the Kabi Kabi of Tewantin after they had succeeded in capturing the
outlaw Johnny Campbell:


“At Noosa wharf lies the recent addition to our fleet, vis., the oyster boat recently
given to the black captors of the notorious Campbell. It is substantially built, of four
oars, sets of sails, and two nets.” The Week, 3 Jul 1880.


Another story, recounted retrospectively by E.G. Swan, told of an annual ‘oyster
feast’ held at Tewantin during the 19th century:


“…from the lips of Tewantin’s oldest pioneers, one may hear stories of the early
days when the township was in the making […]. Once a year the bushways echoed
to the blackfellows' well-feasted, careless laughter. Near to the inland end of the


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