The title deeds for more than 22 hectares of land have been handed back to the traditional owners of the heritage listed K'gari (Fraser Island) on Queensland's Fraser Coast.
It is a "surreal" turn of events for the Butchulla people, who say this is just the beginning of more land reclamations on the island.
The 22 hectares were comprised of two parcels of land — one on the southern end of the island and the other on the northern tip near the township of Orchid Beach.
In a ceremony held on the island on Tuesday, the state government handed the title deeds to the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation under the Aboriginal Land Act of 1991.
"Today is a very special day, there's not much words I can say, but I'm very excited," Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation director Conway Burns said.
"I had to do it to motivate our mob so they could start singing out with me and celebrate."
'Just the start'
Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation secretary Chris Royan said traditional owners were determined to receive title deeds for another 17 properties on the island.
"This is a historical event for the 19 blocks of land we have applied for — these are the first two to be handed back today," she said.
"Hopefully, we'll have another four by the end of this year and by 2023 we would like the whole lot back.
"This is just the start."
Ms Royan said the process of securing freehold over the land started in 2018.
"The government used to talk about unallocated state land (USL), with the compensation claims to come," she said.
"They took the USL off the table, so we decided to apply under the Aboriginal Land Act.
"We acknowledge today our former director Luke Barrowcliffe and Andrew McLachlan, from resources, that went through, surveyed and found out what blocks we could apply for, and these are the first two with community consultation that we've got back."
Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Infrastructure Julieanne Gilbert said works were already underway to see the remaining parcels returned.
"Now that they've done the hard yards and they're over the first hurdles [of applying], it is going to be much easier for them to be working with the department," Ms Gilbert said.
"The department were very excited and have already started work on the next lot, so it is going to be easier and quicker for [Butchulla] to be able to realise these deeds.
'The greatest day'
Ms Royan said she reflected on her elders during the celebrations.
"It is a happy time, but it is also a sad time," she said.
"We have lost many of our knowledgeable elders and if it weren't for them this wouldn't be happening today.
"We have lost so many along the way, but they are here already — the spirits of our ancestors are in this country."
Butchulla woman Shantel Ah Kit said the title deeds signified more than just ownership.
"It is more about caring for country — taking care of what is here for the visitors as well," she said.
"It's about the education, the awareness, the importance of looking after our environment here … the land must come first."
The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation was now working to set up cultural tours on the reclaimed land.
"Once we have land … we will be turning that into profit," Ms Royan said.
"The greatest day of our lives will be the day that we have presence on K'gari, living here and also bringing our elders over to enjoy.
