By Robert Syron and Luke Russell
We acknowledge the Traditional Lands of the Worimi , Gringai and Biripi people of the kutthung language the Custodians, spiritual and cultural owners of these lands. We acknowledge our Elders past and present to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Gringai continue to practice Culture and have a strong connection to our lands and secret sites where our ancestors lay in the Barrington/Gresford/ Dungog/Gloucester Manning Valley area.
The Guringai, Guringay or Gringai people are the traditional custodians of the land between the Hunter and Manning Rivers, from the ocean to and including the Great Dividing Range. A saltwater people whose land extended inland as far as the salt pushed. From modern day Newcastle to Singleton, on the northern side of the Hunter, through the Barrington’s and back down the Manning to the ocean. This is traditional Gringai country. Bordering the Birripai speaking people of the north, the Awabakal people to the south and the Wannarua and Komelroi people to the west.
Descending from one of the four traditional nations of our language group, we have continued the strong connection to our old people, our old ways, our country, our language, our stories and our kinship. Traditionally our language group encompassed the lands between the Hawkesbury and Hastings, the ocean and the mountain ranges. Our ceremonial, kinship and marriage ties would take us further into the northern and southern bordering language groups.
The Gringai, Worimai and Biripai are language dialects of the traditional custodians. Thankfully our language is well recorded with over 6,000 words and importantly voice recordings over an extended time. From the early 1800’s to the 1970’s various recordings were taken from Port Stephens, Gresford, Taree, Port Macquarie, the upper Manning and the Barrington’s. Allowing us to re-awaken our traditional dialects and speak the language of our old people.
Our stories lines connect us to the four corners of our language group, tying us to our surrounding nations, the country and sea. We have been fortunate to have our traditional stories passed down through the generations, in turn we are now privileged in maintaining our connection and most importantly we keep our old people alive by doing so.
The respect and gratitude to all of our old people who have gone before us is of the utmost importance to us. For if it wasn’t for all those people playing their role’s, we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today. Being able to continue all of their amazing stories.
We are the only kuringai, Kuring-gai , Cooringay, Guringai, Gooreeggai, Goreenggai, Gourenggai, Gingai, Gooreenggai, Gringai, Corringorri, Guringay and Goringai People.
The Guringai
The word has been spelt kuringai, Kuring-gai, Cooringay, Guringai, Gooreeggai, Goreenggai, Gourenggai, Gingai, Gooreenggai, Gringai, Corringorri, Guringay and Goringai.
Excerpt from
The Kabook and Wattoo People of the Gringai Barrington River Gloucester, NSW – by Robert Syron and Luke Russell
About the Author – Robert Leslie Syron
Gringai Clan Barrington NSW
Registered traditional Aboriginal owner of Worimi lands
Australian Aboriginal War Veteran
Robert Leslie Syron was born 1965 and is a Worimi/Gringai & Biripi Man, NSW. Robert started full time work in a Butcher shop at 15 years of age after 4 years was awarded a trade certificate as a butcher and managed a butcher shop for 10 years. At 25 he enlisted in the Australian Army and served with the 2nd 4th Battalion and 2nd Battalion RAR as a Rifleman. Robert was a Machine Gunner, No 1 Scout, Section Signaller, Platoon Signaller, Company Signaller and acting Section Commander. He undertook the Regimental Signals Course, Signals Instructors course, Reconnaissance Patrol Men’s Course, Sniper Course, Hot Extraction and Rappelling Course and served overseas on active service in Rwanda 1994 -1995. His Awards include the Infantry Combat Badge, Australian Active Service Medal, United Nations Rwandan Medal, Australian Defence Medal and the ANZAC Peace Prize 1995.
In 2011 he completed an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies in Music at the University of Adelaide with honours and was awarded the Reg Sprigg Bursary merit award in the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) advanced program in 2009, the Reg Sprigg Bursary award highest achiever in the CASM program for 2011, the Elder Conservatorium Directors Award, for outstanding achievement in research, music, composition, performance; and for contribution to Indigenous student Advocacy 2011 and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. In 2015 he was accepted to study Bachelor of laws with honours and a Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice (Combined Degrees) 5 years full time at The University of Newcastle.
Robert Leslie Syron also crafts Indigenous tools including boomerangs inscribed with traditional symbols.
Photo by Robert Syron
Above photo: Gringai Country – Dungog Shire – photo by Anna Rankmore