This interpretive sign was developed in work sessions with Dharriwaa Elders Group members Clem Dodd, Gladys Walford, Jason Murray and Virginia Robinson. Dharriwaa Elders Group ("DEG") is grateful for the use of the excellent "Frogs, Reptiles and Mammals of the North Western Floodplain of NSW", by Phil Spark of North West Ecological Services, and published by the Namoi Catchment Management Authority, Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority, 2013. Phil is the main independent ecologist working in the Walgett area and his photos and information included in this sign represent much work.
This sign was produced so that more is known about Yurayaa and their role in our lives. Hopefully Phil's photos will aid identification and your observations will bring a greater understanding of these mysterious creatures.
Frogs are cold-blooded amphibians. Amphibians undergo metamorphosis from a juvenile water-breathing form to an adult air-breathing form, and most lay their giin.gii (eggs) in water. There is an area of the Barwon River on the north western side of the Dangar Bridge, known as Giin.gii Giin.gii (frog egg froth on the water). This is also the original name given to the Walgett Aboriginal Reserve located nearby, which was gazetted as “Crown Land reserved for the use of Aborigines” in 1898, and is now called Gingie Village. We know from the name that Giin.gii Giin.gii must have been a prominent frog-breeding site.