Legend of the Mountains
Multi-dimensinal Layers of This Land
Since the beginning of our time on this sacred land and forming a relationship with it, we have gained a new understanding of the story of The Glasshouse Mountains as a reconciliation and a rewriting of family. It's a very beautiful, transformational journey.
Please explore the lore below and feel into it yourself for what is true for you.
Lore of the Mountains
Tibrogargan (the father) and Beerwah (the mother), had many children - Coonowrin (CrookNeck - the eldest), Beeburrum, the Tunbubudla twins, Coochin twins, NgunNgun, Tibberoowuccum, Miketeebumulgrai, Elimbah, Round (who was fat and small), and Wild Horse (who was always straying to paddle in the sea).
One day, when Tibrogargan was gazing out to the sea he noticed a great rising of the water. He hurried to gather his younger children to flee to the safety of the mountains in the West. He called to Coonowrin to help his mother who was pregnant.
Looking back to see how Coonowrin was assisting Beerwah, Tibrogargan was greatly angered to see him running off alone! He pursued Coonowrin and raising his Nula Nula, struck him a mighty blow that it dislocated Coonowrin's neck and he has never been able to straighten it since.
When the flood had subsided and the family had returned to the plains, the other children teased Coonowrin about his crooked neck.
Feeling ashamed, Coonowrin went to Tibrogargan to ask for forgiveness but filled with shame at his son's cowardice, Tibrogargan could do nothing but weep copious tears which, trickling along the ground formed a stream, which flowed into the sea.
Coonowrin went to his brothers and sisters and they too wept at the shame of their brother's cowardice. The lamentations of Coonowrin's family at his disgrace explain the presence today of the numerous streams in the area.
Tibrogargan called Coonowrin, asking him why he had deserted Beerwah. Coonowrin said that because Beerwah was the biggest she should be able to take care of herself. He did not know that she was pregnant and that's why she was so big. Tibrogargan turned his back on Coonowrin and vowed he would never look at him again.
Even today, Tibrogargan gazes out to sea and never looks around to Coonowrin who hangs his head and cries, his tears running off to sea. His mother Beerwah, is still heavy with child as it takes a long, long time to give birth to a mountain.