In 1847, seven Aboriginal men risked their lives to save passengers and crew from the wreck of the Sovereign, a tragic maritime disaster that would forever link their bravery to the waters of Moreton Bay. The Sovereign, a 119-ton wooden paddle steamer, regularly made voyages between Sydney and Brisbane, carrying passengers and cargo. On 3 March 1847, the steamer left Brisbane with 28 passengers, 26 crew members, and a large cargo that included bales of wool and hides.

The ship anchored at Amity Point on Stradbroke Island, waiting out a week of relentless bad weather. On 11 March, as the Sovereign attempted to navigate the treacherous passage between Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island, disaster struck. The ship capsized after hitting a submerged sandbar, throwing the passengers and crew into the turbulent seas. Of the 54 people on board, 44 perished, but ten were saved thanks to the remarkable courage of seven Aboriginal men from the Nunukul clan of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Moreton Island (Moorgumpin).

These men—Toompani, Poonipum, Woondu, Nu-Ah-Ju, Nuggun, and Jackie Jackie (the seventh remaining unnamed)—witnessed the wreck from shore and immediately took action. They plunged into the raging surf, swimming tirelessly through dangerous waters to reach the survivors clinging to wreckage. The Sydney Morning Herald of 29 March 1847 described their "unceasing efforts" as nothing short of heroic, braving perilous conditions to save lives.

Their bravery did not go unnoticed. Captain John Clements Wickham, in recognition of their lifesaving deeds, awarded the men brass breastplates, known as gorgets, and a fishing boat named The Pirate.

Despite the men’s courage, the memory of the event faded from public consciousness for over a century. It was only in 2002, 155 years later, that the heroism of these seven men was brought back into the spotlight with the unveiling of a stone memorial at Amity Point. Inscribed with the words Nulpar cungie cooba—“We, too, will be forgotten”—the memorial stands as a testament to the men’s bravery and to ensure their legacy endures.