Curry Emu Watering Hole Traditional Cache
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This is the ORIGINAL Curramulka Watering Hole.
One of Curramulka’s most significant Aboriginal sites is Emu Waterhole.
It is not a spring. It can become dry in summer. Water drains off of the rocks where long ago a glacier existed. The water is about two and half metres deep.
It is said that the town's name was derived from the local Aboriginal words 'gorry' meaning 'emu' and 'moolka' meaning 'stone watering holes'.
J. Howard Johnson, who wrote a vocabulary of the Yorke Peninsula Aborigines questioned this interpretation arguing that if the name was basically 'emu watering hole' then 'the emus had long necks as it is over 100 feet (30 metres) deep, I believe.
The stone waterhole is on Mr Twelftree's property at the corner of the Mount Rat road, and is about forty to fifty yards from the road. It is a rough square in the limestone rock, and would hold 200 to 300 gallons. This would only contain water after a heavy shower. I believe it is or was used for pickling wheat in.' Another person claimed that the description was appropriate and it referred to small holes (almost saucer-like holes) which filled with water and did allow emus to drink. Whatever the case Governor Jervois did choose the word 'curramulka' when he named the area.
THE STORY OF BUTHERAS’ ROCK
Buthera was a big strong man on a journey through his country to the southern part of Yorke Peninsula.
On the way he camped and met a stranger who said he was Mudjitju the leader of the bat people.
Buthera was angry with Mudjitju coming into his land without permission. They fought and Buthera cut Mudjitju in two, which is why the bat has short legs today and the folds where he
was cut can still be seen on his body.
Buthera continued along his way until he came to Gardiemulka (called Curramulka today, meaning Emu Water Hole) where a group were camped by the water holes. They had been told
of the fight by the willy wag tail (a bird that the Narrunga and many other people believe to be a messenger and bearer of news).
Buthera was annoyed that the people knew of his fight with Mudjitju and caused a great bush fire to encircle them. The people tried to escape into the water holes but they were all burnt.
The wind rose turning them into birds, magpies, shags and seagulls. Today we can see how their bodies were burnt black by the fire and smeared with the grey and white ashes.
Buthera continued on his journey until he met Ngarna. Ngarna was a little man. He saw Mudjitju and Mudjitju was a bat. The two men had an argument and fought. In the fight Ngarna was wounded by Buthera but Ngarna was clever and quick footed and he ran away. Buthera was at Guguthie and he threw his waddy (club) across the bay at Ngarna, who hid behind a rock.
Aboriginal people today still believe strongly in the Dreaming. Please respect this and do NOT enter the property - the cache is between the roadway and the fenceline.
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