Walking Country Together: Palm Island Elders Journey to Hull River

Overview

In 2024, members of the Palm Island Elders Advisory Group made a significant journey from Palm Island through Townsville and Ingham to Hull River in the Mission Beach region. The trip brought together Elders to walk country where their families had been held during the mission era, to connect with other Indigenous communities, and to remember those who came before. It was a journey of respect, learning, and strengthening the pathways forward for young people.

The Elders Advisory Group works closely with Palm Island Community Company, bringing wisdom and guidance to the organisation's work. As Allan Palm Island explained, their purpose is clear: "On behalf of Palm Island Community Company and the Elders, we will achieve something for our kids, the next generation. Build opportunity, build pathways, create jobs." The Journey

The group travelled together from Palm Island, staying overnight in Lucinda before continuing north to Hull River. They came as family, welcomed onto Djiru Country by local Rangers who showed them respect and care throughout their visit. Allan Palm Island reflected on this welcome, saying, "They showed respect to our elders. We came in as a family. It was good."

For many, this journey was deeply personal. Winni stood on country that held profound meaning for her family. "I'm very happy to be here standing on Djiru Country from my grandmother. I'm very happy. That would've been where my grandmother and my granddad were," she said, connecting to the place where her grandparents had been forcibly held before being moved to Fantome Island.

Marjoyie also walked country with her grandfather in mind. "This is his country that I'm walking on. He could speak seven languages because he was taken away from his parents too," she shared, honouring her grandfather Alf Palmer and the resilience he carried through devastating loss.

For Cyndel, the experience touched something spiritual. "I was excited inside. Spiritually, it just lifted me up to know that I'm coming to these places knowing that there is connection through my mom and my granddad," she said, describing the feeling of returning to sites where her family had lived.

What Elders Shared

The journey created space for Elders to share knowledge, build relationships, and learn from each other. Elsa spoke about the special nature of these connections: "Meeting other people's families is special. You can go back and say I met so and so and they're related to you. We're kind of the same, our culture, different tribes but the same."

For many participants, the Elders group itself has become a vital source of strength and learning. Cyndel has always felt drawn to Elders. "I love mingling with elders. I've always, from a young girl, loved sitting with elders. My strength comes from the elders. We're not only getting the wisdom and knowledge from them, but we're getting history that we didn't even know," she explained.

Gurtrude echoed this appreciation with characteristic warmth: "I love being around old people. The knowledge, the sarcasm that comes with it, the joy. It's just amazing." The group provides opportunities for continued learning, with Marjoyie explaining her motivation for joining: "Get out of the house and learn more from the rest of the elders. I like to learn. With arts and craft, I don't know nothing about weaving. I like to learn."

The trip also reinforced important lessons. Gurtrude reflected on what she gained from the experience: "I learned respect, what to say, when to say it, being respectful towards people and Elders."

Remembering and Passing On

The Elders carry memories of a time when speaking language and practising culture came at great cost. Aunty Ethel shared her mother's experience: "You talk in the camp, in the mission, the police or other people in the community would go back and report you and then my mother would've been in jail for 14 days. It was forbid, they said it was evil." Despite this suppression, her mother held onto language, having been taught from when she could first walk. "From a young girl, soon as she started walking, her mother and my great-grandmother would talk language to her. She spoke the nine language and it's really hard," Aunty Ethel explained.

Today, Elders are determined to pass on what they know to the next generations. Elsa described how she shares knowledge with her own family: "With my children and their children and my grandkids, we teach that too. I teach them, have fun, get off that iPad or the phone. They love the fishing and they like going for their walks."

Uncle Frank spoke about what he hopes young people can learn from the Elders' journeys. "I hope they look at us and learn something. If we can change, they can change. I've been drinking all my young life. But things change," he said, offering his own story as proof that pathways forward are possible.

What Comes Next

The Hull River trip is part of ongoing work by the Elders Advisory Group to support their community, preserve knowledge, and create opportunities. The group continues to meet regularly, bringing their experience and guidance to Palm Island Community Company's initiatives. Their focus remains on the young people of Palm Island and the pathways being built for them.

Through trips like this one, the Elders strengthen connections across communities, walk country that holds family memory, and demonstrate the importance of respect, learning, and cultural continuity. They carry forward the strength of those who came before while working to ensure the next generation has opportunities their ancestors were denied.

Featured Elders

Allan Palm Island (Director, Palm Island) Aunty Ethel (Palm Island) Cyndel (Palm Island) Elsa (Palm Island) Gurtrude (Palm Island) Marjoyie (Palm Island) Uncle Frank (Palm Island) Winni (Palm Island)

Note: Quotes included in this story are drawn from interview recordings and are subject to final review and validation by featured Elders before broader publication.