About Us
The Yugambeh Youth Aboriginal Corporation was established in 2019 as a resource for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in South-East Queensland. We are focused on promoting community development by recovering and sharing Aboriginal knowledge, language, and music, and supporting the education and development of community youth.
Our logo was designed by Gamilaraay artist, Paula Nihot, featuring the waran and wehna icons. Waran is two boomerangs held in an upright position and struck together on their flat side to set tempo in music (not for throwing). Wehna (to sit) is a pictorial representation of sitting. Together, the waran and wehna icons are positioned to form an abstract letter Y. The two Y’s in the logo stand for Yugambeh Youth. The colour palette was inspired by the yellow flowers, green foliage and brown timber of jumaw (the Black Wattle tree) which is often used to craft waran.
The Yugambeh Language Region extends from Gugay (Tweed River) in the south, to Dugulumba (Logan River) in the north. The region includes several islands, such as Gurarah (Crab Island), and Ganaybah (Russel Island). From Dugambaram (the mouth of the Logan River), the region extends west to Benawarra (Oxley Creek), then southwest to the ranges behind Bujurungu (Mt Barney).
This region is the traditional lands of nine clans who spoke one or more dialects of the Yugambeh language. It is now known as South East Queensland and encompasses the City of Gold Coast, extending into parts of Logan City, the Scenic Rim, and Tweed City.
Dr Candace Kruger
Known affectionately amongst community as Aunty Candace, Dr Candace Kruger is the founder of the Yugambeh Youth Aboriginal Corporation and volunteer choirmaster of the Yugambeh Youth Choir. She is a proud Kombumerri (Gold Coast) and Ngugi (Moreton Island) yarrabilginngunn (songwoman).