Koa People Native Title Authorisation Meeting

Koa People Native Title Authorisation Meeting

The Authorisation Meeting is open to all Koa People, that is, to all of those persons in the current native title claim group, being the descendants of the following ancestors: (current claim group)
1.  MaryAnn Watson;
2.  Zoe Button nee Watson aka Zoe Clements/Zoe Murdoch;
3.  George Mitchell;
4.  Topsy Mitchell aka Katie of Cork Station aka Katie O’Chin;
5.  Nancy Chambers nee Watson;
6.  Jack Chermside;
7.  Charley Chermside aka Charley Riley;
8.  Jacob Chermside;
9.  Lois Tighe/Tye;
10. Maria Miller nee Creed aka Maria Jeffries;
11. Timothy Creed;
12. Valentine Mingo;
13. Minnie Winton;
14. Jack Watson;
15. Tommy Watson;
16. George Watson

Purposes of Authorisation Meeting

1. To consider the views expressed by anthropologist, Dr Kevin Mayo, in relation to claim group composition, and the response of the State of Queensland (State) on connection; and

2. To decide whether to authorise the Applicant to make the following proposed amendments to the Koa Claim:

(a) changing the description of the current claim group to that proposed below:
The Koa People are the descendants of one or more of the following apical ancestors:
i.   Mary Ann Watson (mother of (at least) Zoe Button nee Watson, Topsy Mitchell, Nancy Chambers nee Watson, George Mitchell, Valentine Mingo);
ii.  Maria Watson (mother of Tommy Watson, George Watson and Jack Watson);
iii. Jack Chermside (father of Jacob Chermside and Charlie Riley);
iv.  Lois Tye/Tie/Tighe;
v.   Lucy Creed (mother of Maria Miller nee Creed aka Maria Jeffries, Timothy Creed, William “Trantum” Creed, Rosie Creed and Jack Creed).

Recruitment by “rearing-up” is an aspect of the traditional laws and customs acknowledged and observed by the Koa People with respect to claim group membership. It refers to the situation where a child is grown up by a relative or someone without a biological relationship, either because they have been gifted to them, or left in their care, as the biological parents are not in a position to care for them. Membership into the group is ultimately subject to general community acceptance by the Koa People. This applies regardless of whether or not the child has been formally adopted under the non-Aboriginal legal system. Accordingly, the term “descendants” above is not limited to biological descendants.”

(b) changing the nature and scope of native title rights and interests claimed to remove the right to exclusive possession, so as the Koa Claim is consistent with the non-exclusive and non-commercial native title rights and interests proposed for recognition in a potential consent determination of the matter, as agreed in-principle between the Applicant and the State.

Appeared in the Koori Mail dated October 23, 2019

Some notes of interest are

Bernard Smith Creed aged about 10 years, son of an unknown white man and Maria, was baptised at Yarrabah on 12. 2.1905

Mavis Amethyst Creed, daughter of Bernard Smith Creed and May Burnett was born at Yarrabah on 21. 5.1921

Bernard Euston Creed, daughter of Bernard Smith Creed and May Burnett was born at Yarrabah on 13. 2.1924

William John Needham Creed, son of Timothy Creed and Eulie was born at Yarrabah on 10. 7.1925

Valentine Mingo aged 18 years from Kynuna was exempt in 1908

Jacob Chermside, aged 32 years, parents Long Charlie and Maggie Churnside (Chermside) married Mary Jaro at Barambah in 1924

Jacob Chermside and wife Mary and children Sheila, Rachel, Maisey and Charlie were removed from Hawkwood to Cherbourg in 1933

Jacob Chermside, aged 32 years, parents Long Charlie and Maggie Churnside (Chermside) married Mary Jaro at Barambah in 1924

Jacob Chermside and wife Mary and children Sheila, Rachel, Maisey and Charlie were removed from Hawkwood to Cherbourg in 1933

Jack Chermside died 28. 1.1943 aged 87 years at Woorabinda

Lois Tighe was the mother of Mary Solomon who was born at Winton around 1879

Nancy Chambers aged 85 years was buried on 19. 7.1968 at Cherbourg

Livingstone Charles Chambers, son of Charles and Nancy Chambers  was baptised at Yarrabah   on 9. 2.1908

Zoe Button died 10. 4.1948 at Fantome Island aged 66 years, parents Billy and Mary Ann Watson

Zoe Button is mentioned in the The Caroline Tennant-Kelly Ethnographic Collection. Described as an Zoe Button an old woman, intelligent, sternly practises her rule today.

Zoe Button, aged 55 years, married with six children, Domestic, Residence Cherbourg Settlement, parents Billy Watson and Mary Ann transferred to Fantome Island Lazaret 8. 1.1940 from Peel Island

Lucy Creed buried 23. 7.1900 at Winton aged 35 years, born Hughenden