About us

Incorporated in 1984

Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council (Birrigan Gargle LALC) was incorporated in April 1984 under the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (‘ALRA’ or ‘The Act’). The ALRA states that the objects of each Local Aboriginal Land Council are to ‘improve, protect and foster the best interests of all Aboriginal persons within the Council’s area and other persons who are members of the Council’.

A multi-layered history

Birrigan Gargle LALC is located on the Far North Coast of NSW in an around the township of Yamba. The name Yamba was derived from the word for Shellfish, which are a food source highly prized by the local Aboriginal people.

A not-for-profit entity

Birrigan Gargle LALC is a ‘mutual, not for profit’ entity, which for taxation purposes is a Tax Concession Charity and has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. While BIRRIGAN GARGLE LALC is a mutual not for profit entity, it conducts all of its undertakings in line with the highest standards of corporate governance and organisational management. This ensure that we meet our legal obligations in relation to The Act while also maximising the return to our members from any and all of our dealings.

Bundjalung Nation

The local Yaegl people (Yaegl is one of thirteen clans which comprise the Bundjalung Nation) have been part of the land since before time began. They have a rich and beautifully textured connection to both the land and the sea and their vibrant dreaming stories inform the way that Birrigan Gargle LALC approaches its land use strategy.

Early Beginnings

In 1904 the Aboriginal Protection Board set up an Aboriginal Reserve on Ulgundahi Island near Maclean, formalising the segregation of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal settlement. While Aboriginal people still visited Yamba for ceremonial and cultural reasons, it was only after 1945 when people began to quietly but forcefully reclaim their cultural heritage and returned permanently to Yamba.

Resilience and Relocation

In 1945 Raymond (Rocky) and Bella Laurie permanently moved their family off the island to Reedy Creek (near the current Blue Dolphin resort) and then into Yamba proper at a site known as ‘Clay Canyon’ (current Story Park) where the community continued to grow. However, in the 1950s they were forced to move to a camp near the then racecourse close to Angourie Road (now occupied by the Raymond Laurie Sports Centre).

An enduring legacy

In 1966 the community moved again to Pippi Beach Reserve, now known as Ngaru Village (Ngaru, when translated to English, means ‘Water’) where many families continue to live within the sound of the birrigan gargle. However, many members of the Aboriginal community currently live, work and play within the Yamba township.