The Tribal Warrior Association and the DEERUBBUN

The Tribal Warrior Association was officially established in March 1999. It is a non-profit community organisation initiated and directed by Aboriginal people with Aboriginal Elders from various NSW tribal groups at its helm. The Association is based in Sydney and is strongly supported by the local Indigenous community. The Tribal Warrior Association's vision is one of social and cultural exchange between Aboriginal tribes.

The Association aims to present a creative and ongoing vision for Aboriginal youth by generating self-employment, economic stability and cultural affirmation. This is achieved by providing specialised training programs leading to employment opportunities in the maritime industries. The Tribal Warrior Association aims to promote an awareness of the values of Aboriginal community life and family with a focus on re-establishing their ties with the water. The Association also aims to represent an Aboriginal perspective in Reconciliation programs and events.

Contacts: The Tribal Warrior Association, P O Box 2042, Strawberry Hills, New South Wales 2012
ph/fax 0296993491 and Internet Site: www.tribalwarrior.org

Aboriginal Cultural Cruises aboard the Deerubbun are available through the Association.

About the Deerubbin
The Deerubbun (pronounced de-rub-in) is an ex-Navy Torpedo Recovery Vessel, originally named “TRV3”. She was one of three wooden hulled TRV’s built during World War 2 for the Royal Australian Navy by Halvorsen’s at Ryde. The Great Australian Halvorsen family boat building tradition began when Norweigen born Lars Halvorsen arrived in Australia in 1924. The Halvorsen name has been part of the harbour’s history for several generations in both peace and war. Their boats have introduced generations of Sydneysiders to cruising and sailing, chased Japanese midget submarines across the harbour, gone to war in the Pacific islands and been objects of desire for many, including Hollywood star Humphrey Bogart.

Lars Halvorsen’s son Harold, who died in 2000, was considered by the Australian boating community as a legendary boat designer and builder. During her Naval Career, TRV3 was based in Sydney Harbour at Garden Island and was under the operational control of the Flag Officer-in-Charge, New South Wales. Her duty was to assist ships undertaking torpedo firing trials and exercises.

In the early 1960’s TRV3 was sold by the Navy to the Snowy Mountains Authority for work on the Snow Mountains Scheme. She was renamed the “Wandelia”, an Aboriginal name meaning “bark stripped from a tree”. The Snowy Mountains Scheme was completed over a 25 year period, finishing in 1972. One of the greatest engineering feats of Australian history, at its peak the project employed 7,300 workers. Today the Scheme is one of the most complex multipurpose, multi-reservoir hydro schemes in the world. Wandella carried men and equipment for construction work and then VIP’s on tours of the Scheme. After 1972, she stayed on as a pleasure boat on lake Eucumbene.

In 1984 she was renamed the “Deerubbun”, after being purchased for charter work on the Hawkesbury River. “Deerubbun” is the Dharug people’s name for the Hawkesbury River. The Tribal Warrior Association acquired the Deerubbun in April 2001. She has since undergone extensive refurbishment to prepare her for use in the Tribal Warrior’s Maritime Training program, in Aboriginal Cultural Cruises and as a charter vessel on Sydney Harbour. Today the Deerubbun is used to train young Aboriginal people to gain Maritime qualifications. She is familiar to many locals through her starring roles in Sydney Harbour’s New Year’s Eve events and our Australia Day Celebrations.

Sydney Harbour Aboriginal Cultural Cruises are available through the Tribal Warrior Association, ( the contact details are provided above).

So come out with us sometime and let us share with you glimpses of the original Sydney Harbour inhabitants - the Eora, Gadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people. Experience Sydney Harbour as you have never experienced it before. Explore its waters with the Deerubbin.

We will take you on a journey from pre-white settlement through our coastal lifestyle - uncovering traditional fishing methods and food gathering techniques, Aboriginal settlements and rock drawings. Discover our culture and enjoy the sights of Sydney Harbour. Cruise between the harbour’s spectacular sandstone cliffs and headlands, visit small sandy beaches, rocky foreshores and picturesque inlets and enjoy the relaxed and friendly company of your Aboriginal hosts and crew.

Come aboard our floating work of art. The Deerubbun has been designed, painted and carved with Aboriginal designs and motifs to reflect our connections with Sydney Harbour and the local Sydney area. A cruise on the Deerubbun will give you a look into the oldest continuous culture in the world, The Deerubbun is based at the Sydney Fish Markets. Begin your tour here at one of the finest fish markets in the world and visit the unique produce markets and fine provisioners before or after the cruise.

Survival Day 2003

The Deerubbun was invited to lead the flotilla of boats in Procession, into Darling Harbour for the celebrations on Australia Day 2003. Some of those aboard the boat were Uncle Max, Clarence Slockey, Brenda McDonnell, Ruth Ryan, Perry Williams, and others. Unfortunately Clarence Slockey, an important part of the dance troupe on board, arrived late and missed the departure of the Deerubbun. The Water Police came to the rescue, and Clarence, carrying his Didgeridoo, was ferried out to the Deerubbun by kind favour of the Police Launch.

The PHOTOS below record some of the happenings: Uncle Max presiding from the stern of the Boat, Brenda Perry and Ruth on board, and (left to right) Terry, Clarence, Brenda, Ruth and George relaxing at the end of a long day.

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