A study of the Indigenous aspects of the cultural heritage of Glen Rock Regional Park involving Indigenous groups was undertaken to assist in the future planning policies of the park. The Indigenous organisations contacted had been identified by FAIRA Aboriginal Corporation, the regional representative body for Southeast Queensland under the Native Title Act 1993. They were:
1. the Ugarupul Tribe Traditional Owners representing the descendants of Bobby Anderson;
2. the Jagera Traditional Owners Association representing the Bonner families descended from Henry Kenneth Bonner and Neville Bonner;
3. the Yuggera/Yuggarabul, represented by the Sandy family; and
4. the Yuggera represented by the Turner and Thompson families.
Indigenous tribal territories usually extend to natural boundaries. With the exception of Meston’s accounts, the historically documented and accepted extent of the Jagara-Yuggera territory is to the foot of the Great Dividing Range. While it would seem logical to expect that the territory would extend to the upper reaches of the Blackfellow and Black Duck Creeks, Simpson’s comments made in 1850 about the inaccessibility of “Glenrock” Creek from the north because of the dense scrub, may have meant that the Darling Downs people had more use of the area than the Lockyer Valley people. It is therefore suggested that other Indigenous organizations with cultural interests in the Glen Rock area may be
identified from the Downs side of the park. In 1974 Tindale estimated the tribal boundary of Giabel as far east as Gatton.
A brief field inspection of the flats around the Glen Rock homestead site and around several of the waterholes along Blackfellow Creek failed to identify positively any archaeological evidence of Indigenous use of the land. Vegetation such as the native raspberry and a native ginger seen adjacent to the creek is often associated with habitation or activity sites. The initial survey plans Portion of 23 and 95v within the park show “apple” tree and grassy flats adjacent to Blackfellow Creek. These open areas may well have been the result of Aboriginal firing and possibly influenced original selectors Abbott and Philp to make their selections.
Relatively unanimous opinions have been expressed by the Indigenous participants about issues relating to the park. All are impressed by the parks natural beauty and its relatively unspoilt nature. All agree that the park should not be used for trail bike riding, mining or military training. Several representatives of the organisations wanted time on the property to consider the possible spiritual/ceremonial attributes of topographic features, such as Glen Rock. Features such as Glen Rock may require avoidance or to be deleted from any proposed rock climbing programmes.