Gurril
Storm Bird
Age range 4+
Based on a traditional story from the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji First Nations people of Cairns, it has been told by many generations.
Gurril could not understand why everyone was afraid of a snake, even if it was Gudju-gudju, the rainbow serpent! But he was soon to discover just how powerful Gudju-gudju really was and why it is not a good idea to torment the rainbow serpent.
Gurril, Storm Bird is a Gimuy Walubara (pronounced ghee-moy-wah-la-burra) Yidinji traditional story that helps to explain the cultural beliefs held by the Yidinji First Nations People of Cairns. The Gimuy Walubarra are the traditional custodians of Cairns and the surrounding regions.
This story has been told orally by many generations over thousands of years and is intrinsic to the Yidinji culture, both past and present. The call of the storm bird helps the Yidinji people prepare for the arrival of rain or the wet season. During the dry season the Gimuy Walubara people would dance and mimic the storm bird to bring in the rain.
About the author & illustrator:
Trevor Fourmile is from the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people of the Cairns area in Far North Queensland. He is the author of numerous children’s books, including How the Cassowary Got Its Helmet. These stories are based on the coastal rainforest and told in traditional style. Trevor’s Yidinji name is Bumi which means ‘lightning flash’. He is passionate about teaching the younger generation his Culture through traditional dancing, storytelling, painting and writing children’s books.
Jingalu is a Bagawa woman from Gumbayggirr and Yaegl Country. She grew up in Coffs Harbour, in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, and travelled around Australia with her art career as a young adult before returning home to raise her family. Jingalu has been painting since the age of 16 and creates to share stories and important messages about Culture.
