USC281_0008

A track through Fraser Island's rain forest.

THE TIMBER OF FRASER ISLAND.

Although supplying 7,000,000 super feet of timber annually, the timber areas of
Fraser Island are limited to 30,000 acres of eucalytpus (8% of the island) 22,000
acres of satinay and brush base (5% of the island), and 6,000 acres of hoop pine and
rain forest and 6,000 acres of cypress forest, (each 3% of Fraser Island). Yet in 1948
Fraser Island contributed 5% of all timber cut from Crown lands of the state. All the
commercial timber is logged south of Bowarrady which is in the northern limit of
commercial timber.

Timber grows well in the seemingly sterile sand nourished by an annual average of
62 inches of rain which is held in the accumulated humus and which is prevented
from leaching by the pear floors underlying the sand. Timber grows fast in the moist
subtropical climate. Blackbutt is the principal species harvested. It is mainly grown
outside the rain forest, reaching 120 feet in height and 12 to 14 feet in girth. There
are big stands of satinay which reach girths of 18 feet.

The rainforests of Fraser Island have been logged of their most valuable species
notably Hoop Pine, Kauri Pine, Satin Oak, Bennetts Ash, Bumpy
Ash and Quandong.
They contribute only a small amount of the total cut today and the main logging is
in the hardwood forests, mainly the blackbutt forests and the scribbly gum, turpen-
tine, and Moreton Bay ash of the first high dunes. Little cypress pine is logged.

Examining a large aboriginal midden.

THE ABORIGINES

Fraser Island is believe to have supported between 2,000 and 3,000 aborigines in
1850. They were all members of the Kabi nation whose territory extended over the
whole of the Mary, Burrum, Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah River basins. The
Kabi nation was divided into 19 sub tribes or clans, each with its own tribal lands
with clearly defined boudaries. The Butchulla tribe is reported to have occupied Fraser Island.

The natives were governed by a Council of Elders who, determined punishments,
conducted inquests, taught and explained the laws, customs and beliefs of their tribe.
They also organised revenge expeditions. The Kabi tribe was regarded as being fierce
and hostile and practised cannibalism. They ate the flesh of those killed in combat
and those who died at an early age, this being a ritual act.

The aborigines of the island were generally well-built with good muscle. Their hair
was usually jet black and the men grew bushy curly whiskers and moustaches. They
ranged in height from 5 feet to 6 feet but averaged 5 ft. 6 ins. The woman averaged
5 feet. Both sexes were extremely agile and very strong, and all went naked except
for pubic aprons which were sometimes worn. For protection for the cold, rain or
insects, fat from fish or animals, often mixed with ashes, was rubbed on the boady.
The main ornament was a piece of sea-shell of eliptical shape, hung around the neck.

The natives lived by harsh and complicated social system with numerous taboos
and rituals of great importance to every member of the tribe. Polygamy was legal
and widely practised. A man could not marry a woman of his own clan and children
belonged to the clan of the mother. To express sorrow in time of mourning both
men and women would gash themselves with sharp stones and other implements.
The natives of Fraser Island possessed the same type of weapons and implements as
their mainland neighbours, except for the woomerah. Their canoes were made from
the bark of the iron-bark tree and were used for trips for fishing and hunting dugong
and turtle.