Mount Wheeler

Mount Wheeler or Gawula is a small mountain situated between Rockhampton and Yeppoon, in Queensland, Australia. It is one of several igneous "volcanic plug" formations that feature on the landscape near the Capricorn Coast.[1] Traditionally home to a group of Aboriginal Australians known as the Darumbal people, it was returned to them in 2007 under the Aboriginal Land Act.[2]

For the mountain in Nevada, see Wheeler Peak (Nevada).

Gawula
Mt Wheeler
Gawula
Gawula on a map of Australia
Highest point
Elevation365 m (1,198 ft) 
Coordinates23°14′S 150°41′E 

History

Gawula is the traditional home of the Taroombal people. Many indigenous groups from the region would meet at this site to exchange tools and arrange marriages.[3]

A confrontation between early European settlers and the Aboriginal Darumbal people reportedly occurred on or near Mt Wheeler, involving a number of Aboriginal deaths.[2]

In 1868 gold was found on the mountain. While initial mining was successful, a report in 1887 states that one of the largest gold nuggets in Queensland was found there; the same report also indicates that the mining success quickly petered out.[1]

More recently Mt Wheeler became something of a lookout spot for scenic views during the 20th century,[1] and has been used as a Recreation Reserve for bushwalking and mountain biking.[2]

In 2007, ownership of the mountain was handed over to 25 trustees representing the Darumbal, the traditional owners of the mountain. The deed of grant to the Gawula Aboriginal Land Trust was the first in the Rockhampton region under the Aboriginal Land Act (1991).[2]

Naming

According to local historians, Gawula was given the name "Mount Cock’s Comb" by Captain Cook in 1770. However this is not corroborated by Cook's Endeavour journal or other sources. The mountain was later named Mt Wheeler. Although some have suggested it was named after Frederick Wheeler, an inspector with the Native Police, who is alleged to have been involved in a massacre of Aboriginal people at the site, forcing them to jump off the cliffs by the hundreds - archival evidence suggests it was more likely named such after Gold Commissioner John Wheeler who worked in the area during the 1860s.[1]

Physical features

Gawula is a steep-sided volcanic plug, similar to other surrounding mountains like Mount Jim Crow and Pine Mountain.[1]

There are large cliffs on its western face. On the south-east face is a type of soft rock which has formed into many huge caverns and overhangs. Mount Wheeler stands at approximately 365 metres (1,198 ft) high.

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See also

References
  1. Richards, Jonathan (2014). "'Many were killed from falling over the cliffs': The naming of Mount Wheeler, Central Queensland". In Clark, Ian D.; Hercus, Luise; Kostanski, Laura (eds.). Indigenous and Minority Placenames Australian and International Perspectives. Canberra: Australian National University Press. ISBN 9781925021639.
  2. "Mt Wheeler handed over to traditional Darumbal owners in historic ceremony". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory (Press release). State of Queensland. 20 January 2007.
  3. Gawula with Sally Vea Vea on YouTube Accessed 6 February 2016
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