Titto & Bahrumbin

In roughly the year 40AI (40 years after the Dagai invasion - c.1872 by the Gregorian standard), a massacre took place in the town of Southport.

While the attack was on a Kombumerri camp, the intended victims were not the people, but their canine companions, their Ngagam (native dogs).

The local publican and the butcher teamed up to conduct the deed. Deciding that the Aboriginal dogs were a nuisance, they committed to murdering them all. The butcher supplied the meat and the publican supplied the poison.

In the late afternoon as the sun set on the mountains and the stars rose from the ocean, they rode their horses to the camp of Bahrumbin and Titto who lived next door to the Hanlon property, where the Pacific Hotel would stand.

It was here that they fed the poisoned meat to the ngagam and the onslaught began. The poor dogs were seriously affected by the inhumane poisons, many vomiting and convulsing until death, others were blinded and in terror ran into the fire burning to their deaths.

Titto was absolutely distraught, her blood curdling cries ringing throughout the township. Fearing for their own lives, Bahrumbin took her and they fled to Stradbroke Island.

The Dagai's dark actions were not fruitful though, as shortly after Titto and her husband were seen sailing back down with a canoe filled with native dog puppies.

Titto and Barumhbin were a strong Yugambeh couple who never let their oppression get them down. Their spirits are a source of strength for our nation and their story one of true resilience.

Sadly, they have no monument, no books or movies, not even a respected grave. While traditionally they were laid to rest in a native burial ground, the site of their graves eventually went on to become Surfers Paradise.

So, next time you're in this 'paradise', take a moment to remember Titto and Bahrumbin.