Call to bring back Brisbane’s Aboriginal place names

Residents’ decision to use an Aboriginal name for a new road in Brisbane’s east has sparked calls for more places across the city to return to original indigenous monikers.

RESIDENTS’ decision to use an Aboriginal name for a new road in East Brisbane has sparked calls for more places across the city to return to original indigenous monikers.

Voters chose Kulpurum St as their favourite name for a new road in East Brisbane, which will connect Laidlaw Pde and Lytton, as part of the Wynnum Road Corridor Upgrade.

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Kulpurum is the Jagara Aboriginal language name for Norman Creek and the area that surrounds it.

The Jagara name for Norman Creek - Kulpurum - was the winner of a vote to decide the new moniker for an East Brisbane road.

Brisbane Aboriginal community elder Sam Watson said he was “overjoyed” residents had voted for Kulpurum St as the name for the new road.

Mr Watson said there was rich culture and history to be gleaned from Brisbane’s original Aboriginal place names.

“We live out at Mt Gravatt, and the name Gravatt is a colonial officer, but its Aboriginal name is Kagarr Mobul, the place of the porcupine Dreaming story,” he said.

“Moreton Bay is known as Quandamooka, the place of the dolphin Dreaming story.

“It’s a magic wonderland that is right in front of us all, but no enough of our white Australian neighbours will take the time to find out about the rich cultural history of this wonderful country.”

Norman Creek/Kulpurum runs south from the Brisbane River at East Brisbane, though Greenslopes to Tarragindi.

He said waterways like Norman Creek/Kulpurum in Brisbane and others across Australia were under threat from drought, overuse and pollution.

“We’re bound and connected to our traditional country through that knowledge and we pass that down to our children and grandchildren so they will develop their love and respect for their country,” he said.

“We hope that by using Aboriginal language names and cultural background it will give other people more respect for these places.”

The view from Mt Gravatt Lookout. The Jagara name for Mt Gravatt is Kagarr Mobul, the place of the porcupine dreaming story.

Cr Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said of 213 voters, 95 chose Kulpurum St as their first preference, up against Berilda St, Riversdale St and Humbug St.

It was also many voters second and third preference, while Bottleneck St was the least preferred name.

“I think it’s really important we don’t lose or forget or gloss over the Aboriginal names for places,” Cr Sri said.

“I think long term we should talk about changing the names back. That creek has been called Norman Creek for 100, 200 years but it’s been called Kulpurum for thousands of years.”

Southern Moreton Bay and its islands, including the Wynnum foreshore, is known as Quandamooka country. Picture: Renae Droop

Cr Sri said he was proud to give his constituents a vote on what they wanted, which he will recommend to Brisbane City Council as the preferred name.

“I wanted to show it’s possible for residents to be given a say and that when they are, they make good decisions,” he said.

“Wouldn’t it be great if council gave residents a vote on the bigger decisions that shape our city.”

Cr Sri will now formally recommend Kulpurum St to Brisbane City Council and await its final decision.