On October 9, the Dunghutti people of northern NSW became the first Aboriginal nation to win land under native title legislation on mainland Australia. The announcement came just one day after the federal government declared its intention to effectively dismember the legislation.
Dunghutti Elders Council (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC
Legend of map layers
Native title does not exist
Native title exists (exclusive)
Native title exists (non-exclusive)
Native title extinguished
ILUA registered
ILUA in notification
ILUA notification ended
ILUA subject to objection (not withdrawn) and/or adverse material
Future Act notices current
Show and hide map layers using the layer switcher icon 
at the top right of the map.
The Dunghutti Elders Council (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC hold native title in trust for the native title holders.
On 7 April 1997, Lockhart J recognised the Dunghutti People’s native title rights and interests in relation to the determination area. The Dunghutti People confer possession, occupation and enjoyment of the land to the exclusion of all others.
The Dunghutti Elders Council (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC was established to assist in the relief of poverty, sickness, destitution, helplessness, distress, suffering and misfortune among the Dunhutti People. Their purpose is to continue to strengthen the Dunghutty peoples Native Title and respect, honour and identify the continuous connection to country through their ancestors.
The Corporation believes that knowledge is power and through innovative partnerships and economic participation and economic participation, their collective primary aim is improving opportunities for the social and emotional well-being of Dunghutti Peoples.
The Corporation take part in an array of activities, including the following:
- Language and Culture – playing the Gum Leaf, Welcome to Country, Site Clearance knowledge
- Building Research Capacity
- Environmental Services
- Construction training
| Type of RNTBC |
Trustee
|
|---|---|
| Contact name |
Leo Wright
|
| Contact number |
02 6562 2346
02 6562 2574
|
| Postal address |
PO Box 179, KEMPSEY NSW 2440
|
| Office address |
17-23 South Street, KEMPSEY NSW 2440
|
| PBC size |
Medium
|
| Region |
NSW
|
| Date of incorporation |
|
| Date of registration |
|
| ICN (Indigenous Corporation Number) |
2867
|
| PBC link |
PBC activity feed
In Australia, the Dunghutti Aboriginal People are made up of eight tribal groups that reside in the continent’s Macleay Valley region. Their way of life was disrupted by White settlers, and they eventually lost rights to their land. However, the Native Title Act of 1993 gave way to the Dunghutti people to become the first group of aboriginals to lay claim to lands on this day in 1997.
Tribunal President Justice Robert French today congratulated the Dunghutti people on gaining a place in Australian history as the first determined holders of native title on the Australian mainland.
THE Dunghutti Elders Council (DEC) is investigating the possibility of a ‘blanket land claim’ over all traditional Dunghutti tribal land.
A group of NSW Aboriginal people who won the first native title claim on the Australian mainland following the historic Mabo decision yesterday celebrated a $6.1 million compensation payout which the state government has made 14 years later.
Determination outcomes
| Name | FC name | Tribunal number | Determined outcome | Area |
|---|