Worimi Heritage

The Worimi People and Smiths Lake — A Story Being Developed. Smiths Lake sits at the heart of Worimi country. For thousands of years before European arrival, this remarkable combination of coastal lagoon, ocean access, abundant fish, and surrounding forest made it one of the most productive and significant places in the Worimi world. This is a story we are committed to telling well — and that means telling it in Worimi voices, with Worimi guidance. We are currently working to develop this history in partnership with the Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council, and we look forward to sharing it here as that conversation grows. We acknowledge the Worimi people as the traditional custodians of the land on which Smiths Lake Village is located, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

What the Research Record Shows -
The Worimi people are the traditional custodians of a country that extended from the Hunter River in the south to Forster in the north — encompassing Smiths Lake entirely. They spoke the Gathang language, which is undergoing active revival in the 21st century.
• The Worimi nation's territory encompassed Smiths Lake within its cultural and geographic extent
• In the area stretching from Wallis Lake to Newcastle, there are 37 recorded Ceremonial Sites (stone arrangements, bora grounds, carved trees, burial sites), 115 recorded campsites, and 97 middens documented
• The Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park explicitly recognises: 'Aboriginal people's association with the area's sea and land dates back thousands of years and local people still gather food in the traditional way'
• The Worimi people view land and sea country as one living entity — rivers, creeks, wetlands, the ocean and all living species are interconnected parts of country
• Many significant cultural and spiritual sites are located within or adjacent to the Marine Park, including middens, burial sites and traditional campsites
• The ancient middens and carved trees found around the Smiths Lake area are visible evidence of this continuous connection
• Today the Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council works with Worimi descendants to promote, foster and protect culture and heritage