Iconic Australian island changes its name
Fraser Island has had its traditional name reinstated and will now be officially known as K’gari.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk formally reinstated the world’s largest sand island to the name used by its traditional owners for at least 60,000 years, in what was described as an “emotional ceremony” with the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation..
The decision was made after consultation with traditional owners, tourism bodies, government agencies and the Fraser Coast Regional Council.
“K’gari comes from the Butchulla people’s creation story of the island, which has been passed down orally for generations,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I’m proud that today we can officially welcome K’gari home, and reinstate the name used by traditional owners for all these years.”
Alongside the name announcement, more than 19 hectares of land were transferred from government hands to Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation.
The land can’t be bought, sold or mortgaged, and must be used for the benefit of its traditional owners, according to the chair of the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation Gayle Minnicon.
“It was through disrespect to the Butchulla people that her name, K’gari – the home of the Butchulla people - was taken away,” she said.
“Thankfully it is now through respect to the Butchulla people that K’gari- her name - has been reclaimed.
“Our ancestors understood and committed to the importance of caring for K’gari since time immemorial and today we continue this cultural obligation.”
K’gari was named after a spirit and the creation story of the island, with the mythical being helping to create the island and deciding to rest there forever after falling in love with it.
According to the creation story, the island’s lakes were created so she could look up to the heavens, the bushland was created to clothe her and animals were placed to keep her company.
The Butchulla people were then created by the creator spirit Yindingie, to protect the island.
