Waargle & Yondok

John Sara

$6,600.00

Noongars are the Aboriginal People who have lived in Western Australia for over 45,000 years, their area is south and west of a boundary line that runs from Geraldton to Merredin and almost to Esperance. There are fourteen language groups in the Noongar Nation. All Aboriginal People have Dreamtime stories, the Wadjuk People, the Noongar People from the Derbal Yaragan (Swan River), Walyalup (Fremantle) area have a Dreaming Story about the Wargal (Rainbow Serpent) and the Yondok (an ancient mythical crocodile).

The story tells of how the Yondock moved down from the north along the coast causing turmoil, water levels rose causing floods, ocean tides and swell became huge, winds became gale force causing damage all along the coastline.

As the Yondock got closer to the metropolitan area he turned his giant body to create Wadjemup (Rottest Island), Derbal Nara (Cockburn sound) and Ngooloorayaup (Carnac Island). He then moved towards the mouth of the Derbal Yaragan to flood the river with salt water but a watchful Karda (Race Horse Goanna) saw him coming and warned the Wargal who had already sensed the salt water.

The Wargal fought the Yondock biting off his tail. The Wargal put the tail of the Yondok across the mouth of the river to stop the salt water. The Yondok tried to swim away but couldn’t without his tail. Yondok’s body is now Meeandip (Garden Island). Dwerda Weeardinup (Cantonament Hill, Fremant is the place of the Dingo

(Dog). To this day the spirits of the Dingoes keep watch out over the river and harbour from Dwerda Weeardinup to make sure the Yondock’s spirit never returns to join together its tail and body.

Story and Painting by John Sara

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