Nurri Millen - A guide to the Indigenous
art totems in Boondall Wetlands
In 1996, Brisbane City Council undertook a very different job skills program with six Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander People at Boondall Wetlands. After studying and researching
Indigenous culture in the region, the participants then used their artistic expressions to turn the
information into sculptural signage under the guidance of artist Ron Hurley.
As a result of the program, the participants gained a deeper understanding of the cultural
connection with the landscape, and visitors to Boondall Wetlands can now gain an insight into
Indigenous culture in the wetlands through Mr Hurley’s sculptures.
The 18 cast aluminium totems symbolise aspects of Indigenous culture in Boondall Wetlands.
The totems include food plants and animals, tools, camp life and the Dreaming. Each Totem is
placed near a related site or plant and animal habitat. Many of the totems are supported or
framed by local weapons including shields and boomerangs. Indigenous names used in this
brochure are from the Turrbal dialect of the Yuggerabul language group.
Indigenous people have lived in the region for a very long time. The wetlands in Boondall and
Tinchi Tamba contained campsites, ceremonial grounds and essential supplies such as food,
fibres and medicines. Many local Indigenous people continue to have direct ties to this land for
ceremonial and teaching purposes.
This initiative is part of our vision for the city’s future – Living in Brisbane 2010.
Throughout this document the word ‘Murri’ is used. Murri is the name Indigenous Australians
refer to themselves as, which is common to Southeast Queensland and some parts of North
Eastern New South Wales. It may also mean Kangaroo.
1 Nurri Millen
This nurri millen (many names) totem is the legend totem of the sculptural series. One side
shows the northern wetlands with tracks to and from the junctions of Nundah and Cabbage Tree
Creeks. The shells represent the shellfish gathered as food as well as the sea flooding after the
ice ages. The other side shows the wading bird tracks on the tidal flats.
Totems along the billai dhagun track
2 Dilli
Indigenous women made string dilli bags from the leaves of Lomandra (dilli) and the inner bark of
black wattle (kagargil). The dilli bag contains a shield (kuntan) and is supported by boomerangs
(braggan).
3 Binkin
Ponds are turtle habitat. Murris did not eat the long-necked turtle, but the short-necked turtle was
good to eat. The shield markings represent water.
4 Kambo
One side of the totem shows a witchetty grub (kambo) surrounded by its sawdust inside a swamp
oak (billai) trunk. The other side represents people sharing kambo. Their grubs are the larvae of a
large beetle and are delicious raw or roasted.
5 Murri
Kangaroos (murri) were once common on the wetlands but are no longer found here. One side of
the totem shows a waterhole with Eastern Grey Kangaroo tracks, the other side shows a
kangaroo. As well as food, kangaroos provided rugs, sinew for stitching and tying and bone for
tools and ornaments.
6 Du-wir
Brown Quail (du-wir) live in the grass and were a favourite food. Women and children would beat
the grass to flush out the birds and the men would bring them down with small hunting
boomerangs.
7 Darlobolpal
This totem represents Darlobopal (camp place with fire). The fish skeleton indicates that fish
could be caught here and eaten. The other side shows swimming fish. The flames on the side
and top represent the fireplace for cooking, warmth and light.
8 Gramman
Flying foxes (gramman), a favourite Murri food, hang from boomerangs across a shield. They fly
in to eat the fruits of these rainforest trees, dropping seeds of other plants. Their nearest camp is
on Cabbage Tree Creek.
9 Wabbalkan
The oval shapes represent bullroarers (wabbalkan), carved pieces of coast banksia wood that
‘roars’ when swung by string through the air. Bullroarers were used to ask permission to cross
another tribe’s land, or to call children back to camp for dinner or bed.
10 Chibbur
A colony of squirrel gliders (chibbur) lived around here. Gliders were a totem animal. The
background design was used to decorate weapons and carrying vessels. The other side is
hollowed out to show a squirrel glider’s silhouette.
Totems along the bike track
11 Meeamee
Crushed soap tree (meeamee) leaves made a lather for cleansing and they were also used to
stun fish. The totem shows fish swimming, fish floating and the skeletons of fish caught and
eaten. Eel shapes surround the top.
12 Chagine
Eels (chagine) live in the creeks and were an important food. The markings on the shield are a
typical local decorative motif.
13 Tabri
Hunting and fighting clubs (tabri) were often made from grey ironbarks such as those growing
nearby. Tabri come in many shapes and sizes. The wood was carved using sharp stones, then
rubbed with beeswax and hardened in the fire.
14 Kuta
Stingless native honey bees (kuta) rest on the side of a hive represented by two coolamons
(niugum) placed together. Hexagonal patterns show honeycomb dripping with honey.
15 Ngurrun
The grassland and woodlands were once emu (ngurrun) habitat. One side of the totem shows the
emu and its tracks, the other side shows emu tracks leading to its nest. Emus were both a food
and a totem animal. Emu feathers were used for decoration.
16 Kabul
Carpet Pythons (kabul) were a food and totem animal. They are still common in the woodlands
and forests.
Totems at nudgee beach
17 Darlo
Darlo (fire) crowns this totem framed by firesticks in their holders. The holders were made using
grass tree resin and the sticks were from the cotton tree. Fire was women’s responsibility, and if
the fire went out it was kindled by twirling the firestick in a hole cut into a piece of hard wood.
18 Mumbal
Mumbal was the being who spoke with the voice of thunder. The clouds and lightening represent
Mumbal who created the earth and everything on it. The hands in all directions represent the
creator, the people and their respect. The totem was placed here in sight of the Glasshouse
Mountains that are part of the Dreamtime creation story.
For more information about other Council environment initiatives visit or phone (07) 3403 8888.