Anniversary of the Bigambul Part B Native Title Determination

23 June

On 23 June 2017, the Federal Court made the Bigambul Part B consent determination. This anniversary marks a separate stage from the Part A decision of 1 December 2016 and recognises Bigambul people’s continuing connection to Country.

Why this date has its own entry

Bigambul Native Title Aboriginal Corporation identifies two consent determination dates. The National Native Title Register records the June 2017 determination as QCD2017/003, with the same date of effect.

Using a separate entry preserves the distinction between the stages. It also avoids describing June 2017 merely as an administrative anniversary of the earlier Part A judgment.

What the orders recognised

The orders recognise Bigambul native title in the defined determination area and specify non-exclusive rights. These include access, camping, ceremonies, teaching on Country and maintaining important places, subject to the orders and other interests.

A non-exclusive right is not the same as ownership that excludes every other person. The particular rights, area and relationships with other interests are set out in the legal record. Broad descriptions cannot replace those details.

Recognition within a longer history

The determination is a legal acknowledgment of existing rights grounded in Bigambul laws and customs. It should not be presented as creating Bigambul people’s relationship with Country in 2017.

A successful outcome also draws attention to the work beyond court proceedings: maintaining community relationships, making decisions about Country and ensuring that knowledge and responsibilities can continue. These are reasons to recognise the people involved alongside the formal case name.

Reflecting and learning

Read the Part A and Part B entries together. Compare their determination dates, dates of effect and scopes. Ask why a single community’s legal recognition can involve multiple stages and why each deserves accurate description.

In schools and workplaces, use the Corporation’s publicly shared account as well as the register. Credit sources and avoid asking an individual to speak for every Bigambul family. A meaningful anniversary activity can focus on learning about Country and respectful relationships rather than treating the court result as the end of the story.

Sources and further reading

Read the official record alongside publicly available material from the relevant community or native title body. Historical records may include names of people who have died.

Online sources

Native Title. Bigambul Native Title Aboriginal Corporation. Community account placing the June 2017 outcome alongside Part A.
https://bigambul.org.au/pages/native-title

National Native Title Register: QCD2017/003. National Native Title Tribunal. Part B determination date, holders, areas and rights.
https://api.nntt.gov.au/api/Attachments/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/NNTR%20Extracts/QCD2017_003/NNTRExtract_QCD2017_003.pdf

Our related products and resources

We do not currently offer products or learning resources specifically for this anniversary. The reading links above are provided for background and further learning. Suitable items from our range will be added here as they become available.