Aboriginal Culture, Heritage
& Arts Association of NSW

Linking Minjungbal people spiritually to their ancestors

For thousands of years, the Tweed Valley was a green paradise resting in the shadow of the majestic Wollumbin. The Minjungbal people enjoyed a warm sub-tropical climate. The landscape varied from the mountains, the river and the sea. There was an abundance of food and raw materials that catered for all their requirements.

The Minjungbal people were the first people to live in the Tweed and it is thought that the clan name was Moorung-Moobar and the language Minjungbal, a dialect of the Bundjalung nation.

The Bora Ring located near the site of Minjungbal Museum grounds is of great spiritual and cultural significance in linking the Minjungbal people spiritually to their ancestors. It was understood to be last used traditionally in 1910.

A local Aboriginal woman, Margaret Kay (1905-1967) was instrumental in the preservation of the Bora Ground at South Tweed Heads. The museum was established by Mrs Kay at the front of her house and it was filled with local artefacts. She continued to devote her energies to this site until her death.

Tweed Shire Council recognised the significance of this area, and the Bora Ring and 125 hectares of surrounding bushland, including Ukerabagh Island, are now reserved for preservation of Aboriginal cultural artefacts. The local community acknowledge Margaret Kay’s effort with the construction of the Minjungbal Museum and Cultural Centre, where her collections and other artefacts are displayed.

The Tweed Aboriginal Co-operative Society Limited is the current lessee of the land under National Parks and Wildlife. Tweed Co-op and NP&W work closely together to ensure that the museum and cultural centre grounds and buildings are well maintained and available to the Aboriginal community as well as community groups. The boardwalk and the Bora Ring walk continue to be maintained by NP&W. Tweed Aboriginal Co-operative owns the Minjungbal Museum and holds the head lease for The Tweed Heads Historic Site which Minjungbal Museum sits on.