About the Collaboration

Mithaka People have lived and worked across the Channel Country for generations and hold strong connections to the ancient and contemporary systems it supports. This includes Mithaka Peoples’ connections to the region’s communities, the Barcoo and Diamantina Shires, and tourism, pastoral and mining industries operating throughout the area.

Mithaka people have been involved with the pastoral industry in the Channel Country for many generations. Mithaka people have worked in many roles, including as stockmen and stockwomen and continue to work with pastoral stations across the region. Mithaka’s Native Title determined area includes certified organic properties from which OBE Organic sources livestock from.

Mithaka have custodial kinship with the lands and waters of the Channel Country which feed into Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre. As such, it is all of our responsibilities to protect her. One of the major threats facing Mithaka people’s relationship with their Country, is fracking (or unconventional gas extraction) and any mining in the rivers and floodplains of the Lake Eyre Basin.

For many years Mithaka has been advocating for stronger protection for the Lake Eyre Basin rivers and Channel Country floodplains so the outstanding cultural, grazing, and natural values can be sustained for future generations. In 2015, the incoming Palaszczuk Government in Queensland promised to strengthen protections but are yet to deliver on this promise. You can read more about Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation’s position here: https://mithaka.org.au/prisitine-rivers/

Mithaka people and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised photographs in this collaboration contain images of persons who are pandani (deceased) which may cause sadness or distress.

About Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation

On 27th October 2015 the Mithaka People were awarded native title of 55,425 square kilometres of Queensland land and water, which rivals Tasmania in size. The Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation was founded to manage this native title.

In Queensland’s remote Channel Country of red dirt and gibber rock, archaeological discoveries are raising questions around the idea that Indigenous groups were nomadic hunter gatherers. While historical accounts have suggested Aboriginal Australians may have lived in permanent settlements, scientists say there is relatively limited archaeological evidence to back this up. But now, a unique collaboration between Mithaka traditional owners and scientists are unearthing skeletons, stone arrangements, and large-scale quarry sites that experts say may paint a new picture of early Aboriginal lives. Palaeontologists and geochronologists worked alongside Mithaka to launch drones into the sky in search of evidence suggesting early life.

Mithaka People are Traditional Owners who in accordance with Mithaka customary laws and traditions have social, economic, cultural and spiritual affiliations with, and responsibilities for, Mithaka traditional land and waters.

mithaka aboriginal corporation
stone artefacts
Keeping stone artefacts safe
Mithaka Elder Uncle George Gorringe moving stone artefacts to keep them safe,…
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Dr Kelsey Lowe
Dr Kelsey Lowe (from UQ’s School of Social Science) walking a grid…
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https://www.obeorganic.com/taking-mithaka-archaeological-research-to-the-world/
Taking Mithaka archaeological research to the world
Taking Mithaka archaeological research to the global stage! Pictured here at the…
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Tibooburra Rodeo
Max Gorringe riding at the Tibooburra Rodeo in the 1980’s
Uncle Max showing off! Image of Uncle Max Gorringe riding at the…
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Uncle George Gorringe
Mithaka Elder, Uncle George Gorringe was born in Innamincka in 1947, and…
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Uncle George Gorringe and Mrs. Elsie Debney
Uncle George Gorringe and Mrs. Elsie Debney at the Kirrenderri, Heart of…
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A rainforest sword
Would you expect to find a rainforest sword in a desert creek…
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mithaka youth
Aunty Rainie Sharing Knowledge
Aunty Rainie telling stories to Mithaka youth at Cuttaburra Creek on the…
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Mithaka Country Stone arrangement
Stone arrangement on Mithaka Country
Stone arrangement on Mithaka Country. While we’re yet to fully understand their…
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World Archaeology Congress 9 in Prague, Czech Republic 2022
Tracey Hough and Joshua Gorringe presenting at the World Archaeology Congress 9…
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Mithaka Youth Camp Convoy
On the road again! Mithaka Youth Camp 2021 convoy pulled up at…
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Mithaka Elders
Aunty Rainie (Lorraine) McKellar and Aunty Bubsy Lander
Mithaka Elders Aunty Rainie (Lorraine) McKellar and Aunty Bubsy Lander with Tracey…
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Gunyah Sites
Here, Mithaka kids learn how previous generations lived on Country by visiting…
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Mithaka Kids
Mithaka kids walking across hot springs at Carcoory on Mithaka Country in…
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Flaked Artefacts
Two researchers and Joshua Gorringe inspecting evidence of flaked artefacts in 2022.…
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quarry sites
Minister Craig Crawford & Mithaka quarry sites
Shawnee Gorringe, JJ Gorringe, and Uncle George Gorringe showing Minister for Aboriginal…
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Swimming in the Cooper
Mason Hough and Seth Costin swimming in the Cooper. The Cooper is…
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Lizard
Lizard
Mason Hough found a little lizard friend! Spotted while inspecting an ancient…
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Emeritus Professor Tom Griffiths
Joshua Gorringe, Shawnee Gorringe, and Emeritus Professor Tom Griffiths and Tracey Hough.…
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A standing Gunyah
A standing Gunyah – a home made from gidgee trees on Mithaka Country. Excavations have…
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Josh Gorringe at COP27 in Egypt in 2022
Josh Gorringe, Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation General Manager, attended COP27 in Egypt in…
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Grindstone Blanks
These are the beginnings of grindstones which were used for grinding seeds…
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Carcoory Bore
Mason Hough, son of Tracey, explores the artesian bore & surrounding landscape…
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Stone arrangement on Mithaka Country
Mithaka kids inspecting a stone arrangement on Mithaka Country during their 2022…
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The Kirrenderri Exhibition in Winton
The Kirrenderri exhibition has so far travelled to UQ in Brisbane, Winton, Biloela, and…
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The last droving trip taken by Mithaka women
Images of the last droving trip taken by Mithaka women, Peggy McKellar,…
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An old school rodeo in 1932
Grandad Bill Gorringe at Sidney Kidman’s 75th birthday celebrations in South Australia.…
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Benny Kerwin and Bill Gorringe
Benny Kerwin and Bill Gorringe
Picture from archives believed to be taken at Sir Sidney Kidman’s 75th…
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Sharing knowledge
Aunty Dot Gorringe sharing knowledge with her grandchildren at the Mithaka Youth…
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Tracey Hough & nephews
Always time for cuddles! Tracey Hough with her nephews, Jack and William…
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Cabbage stew
Cooking cabbage stew by Cuttaburra Creek
Cabbage stew is a recipe passed down to Tracey Hough from her…
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Aunty Bubsy Lander & Dr. Nick Medland
Aunty Bubsy Lander talking with Dr. Nick Medland (descendant of the Duncan-Kemp…
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Kirrenderri, Heart of the Channel Country Exhibition
Josh Gorringe and Tracey Hough present the Kirrenderri exhibition guide to Environment…
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Mithaka & OBE Organic working together
David Orchard (General Manager – Commercial of OBE Organic) and Tracey Hough…
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Rodney McKellar and Dr Richard Martin
Rodney McKellar and Dr Richard Martin standing among a silcrete deposit. They…
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Carcoory Ruins
Carcoory Ruins, built in 1877. Abandoned by Sir Sidney Kidman in 1906…
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