Butchulla people support push to rename Fraser Island

The push to officially rename Fraser Island has begun, with people across Queensland being asked to have their say on the change. VOTE IN OUR POLL:

A push has begun to rename Fraser Island its Indigenous name, K’gari, with Butchulla elders throwing their support behind the State Government’s move to bring in the name change.

People across Queensland will now be asked to have their say, with public consultation to begin on Friday.

The World Heritage Area became K’gari last year, but the official place name for the world’s largest sand island has yet to change.

Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation director Christine Royan said K’gari’s story was the Butchulla people’s Dreaming story.

“The story of K’gari is the story of our creation,” she said.

The stunning Indian Head on Fraser Island. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

“Having K’gari reinstated means that we are returning our story back to where it belongs – to its home.”

Butchulla Glen Miller said it had taken a long time to get there, but he was in support of the move to return the island to its traditional name.

“Going the full hog and changing the name of the island would make everything really good.”

For Aunty Gayle Minniecon, chair of the BAC, the reinstatement of K’gari as the island’s name has been a long time coming.

“It means so much to the Butchulla people,” she said.

“For us it’s about respect for our people. It’s important for us to let our ancestors know that our culture is still strong and we continue to care for our country.”

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the State Government had actively worked with the Butchulla People to recognise the cultural significance of K’gari.

“We’ve listened to the Butchulla People who have maintained a strong commitment to reinstating the island’s traditional name,” Mr Stewart said.

“The island has been known as K’gari for thousands of years and I hope it will be formally known as K’gari for many more years to come.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford said a return to the island’s traditional name would honour the Butchulla people’s culture and continued connection to country.

“K’gari forms part of a spiritually significant story for the Butchulla people, one that should be celebrated and embraced by all Queenslanders,” Mr Crawford said.

Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island. Picture: Ashley Dobson/@ashleydobson Supplied by Kingfisher Bay Resort

“On the Path to Treaty, recognising Indigenous language through proposed changes to place names like K’gari demonstrates the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation.”

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said consultation follows the island’s world heritage area being renamed K’gari last year.

“K’gari means paradise in the Butchulla language and as a popular destination for its natural beauty, is a much more fitting name for such an iconic place,” Ms Scanlon said.

“The name Fraser Island is culturally inappropriate – it is a tribute to Eliza Fraser, a woman whose narrative directly led to the massacre and dispossession of the Butchulla people.”

Aerial view of Platypus Bay, Fraser Island, Queensland.

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said renaming the world heritage area was well received by the community and believed the island’s traditional name should become official.

“Our community has acknowledged the name K’gari for quite some time now, and I can’t wait for visitors to do the same,” Mr Tantari said.

Mr Stewart said the proposal would open for public consultation from August 5 until October 3.

“We will engage with the community and I encourage all interested people and groups to have their say,” Mr Stewart said.