Worimi

The Worimi are an Indigenous Australian people whose traditional lands lie in the Port Stephens region of New South Wales, Australia. They are one of the Indigenous groups associated with the Hunter Region and are recognized as the traditional custodians of lands in and around Port Stephens.

Their country covers coastal dunes, beaches, estuaries and inland areas around Port Stephens, with traditional connections to both sea and land environments. The Worimi have long-standing cultural and economic ties to the coast, relying on a mix of fishing, gathering and seasonal resources.

The Worimi language is traditionally spoken by their people and is part of the Pama–Nyungan language family. Like many NSW languages, Worimi is endangered, but there are ongoing efforts to document and revive the language, with community-led initiatives and language programs helping to maintain cultural knowledge.

Culturally, the Worimi are connected to their country through place names, stories, and practices linked to coastal and inland environments. Traditional social organization, ceremonial activities, and knowledge of the landscape have been part of Worimi life for generations.

European colonization in the 19th century brought dispossession, disruption of traditional life, and population decline. In recent decades, recognition of traditional ownership and native title processes have supported greater involvement of the Worimi in land and cultural heritage management. The Worimi Conservation Lands, including Stockton Beach and surrounding dunes, are an example of lands managed in partnership with government agencies to protect natural and cultural values. Today, the Worimi continue to maintain cultural practices, governance roles, and language revival efforts.