Cobourg celebrates four decades of Ramsar protection

27 May 2014

Senator Simon Birmingham, Kakadu Park Ranger and board member Mathias Baird, and NT Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Nungarrayi Price at Gunlom Falls to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ramsar listing of Cobourg Peninsula.

A SMALL but significant celebration was held at Gunlom Falls on Monday 19 May.

Kakadu Park Rangers and traditional owners joined with Federal Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister for Environment Simon Birmingham, NT Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Price, and guests to mark the 40th Anniversary of Cobourg Peninsula as the world’s first Ramsar site.

The guests celebrated with Johnny Cakes and Kakadu Plum Jam courtesy of Andy Ralph, Dell Hunter and others from Kakadu Culture Camp. Josh Hunter, a Kakadu National Park board member and traditional owner for the area, gave the visitors an extraordinary welcome to country greeting at the Gunlom pool, splashing their heads with water as his welcoming words in language echoed around the high rock walls.

The special guests included Director of National Parks Sally Barnes and CEO of the Parks and Wildlife Commission Andrew Bridges, who joined with traditional owners from the Gunlom region Elsie Smith and her neice Maria Lee for afternoon tea with rangers around the campfire.

While low-key and informal, the historic event at Gunlom highlighted the importance of all Ramsar wetlands, including Kakadu National Park. Also known as Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, Cobourg is jointly managed by the Arrarrkbi people and the Parks andTraditional owners engage in land and sea management in the parks through employment as rangers and through independent traditional land and sea management practices.

In a speech in front of Gunlom Falls, Minister Price said the traditional owners of the park had lived on and used the peninsula for between 40,000 and 60,000 years. Garig Gunak Barlu was a unique corner of Australia, she said, with environmental values complemented by a fascinating Indigenous, Macassan and European history.

“The traditional owners continue to live on the peninsula and carry out many of the cultural practices which have been handed down over many generations,” Minister Price said. “Working with the traditional owners, we’re conserving Cobourg’s wetlands and ensuring their wise use, maintaining Australia’s commitments under the Ramsar Convention. I was lucky enough to travel to the peninsula recently and was amazed by the pristine white beaches and waterways teeming with birdlife.

“Talking to rangers and traditional owners I was able to get a sense of just how proud these people are to live and work in such a special part of the world.”

Senator Birmingham said the 1974 Ramsar listing – the world’s first – had paved the way for Kakadu to become Australia’s second Ramsar site.

“Ramsar listing has brought international recognition to the remote and unspoilt wilderness of Cobourg Peninsula,” Senator Birmingham said. “Cobourg is recognised as a Wetland of International Importance for its diversity of wetland habitats, threatened marine species, significant seabird colonies and value as a refuge and breeding site.”

Senator Birmingham camped overnight at Gunlom, in the Mary River region in the south of the Kakadu National Park. He said it was a great opportunity to learn more about the region.

Josh Hunter performing a Welcome to Country ceremony with Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Price as Senator Simon Birmingham looks on.