Major fail in social media fury over Fraser Island name change

Twitter’s trending list has revealed an awkward mistake being made by critics outraged by Fraser Island’s name change.

The incorrect spelling of Ayers Rock was awkwardly trending on Twitter in the past 24 hours after critics used the famous natural landmark to support their rejection of a popular Queensland island’s name change.

Fraser Island had its traditional name K’gari officially reinstated on Wednesday in a move that has been likened to the significant Ayers Rock-Uluru name change of the ‘90s.

Critics took to social media to declare they would not stop referring to the island as Fraser Island just as they had not stopped saying Ayers Rock.

However, “Ayres Rock” began to trend with many not knowing how to spell it.

People unsupportive of the name change claimed the island will “always be Fraser Island” like the rock will “always be Ayres Rock” – despite never having that name.

“An early Twitter highlight today is the delicate sweethearts crying about Fraser Island reverting to the name K’gari, then misspelling Ayers Rock to show how much they cherish the integrity of those whitefella names,” journalist Anthony Sharwood posted with a screenshot of the trending list.

An early Twitter highlight today is the delicate sweethearts crying about Fraser Island reverting to the name K'gari, then misspelling Ayers Rock to show how much they cherish the integrity of those whitefella names pic.twitter.com/XAuNr7fX6e

— Anthony Sharwood ❄️ (@antsharwood) June 7, 2023

“For a laugh, search for “Ayres Rock” (yes, it’s misspelled) to see how many people want it to revert to a name they couldn’t spell correctly in the first place,” another Twitter user shared.

Others pointed out some were also claiming it would always be “Frazer Island” instead of the correct spelling, Fraser Island.

The decision to change Fraser Island’s official name was made after consultation with traditional owners, tourism bodies, government agencies and the Fraser Coast Regional Council. It was announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday.

“K’gari comes from the Butchulla people’s creation story of the island, which has been passed down orally for generations,” she 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.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation chair Gayle Minniecon at the renaming of Fraser Island. Picture: Liam Kidston

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 Minniecon.

“It was through disrespect to the Butchulla people that her name, K’gari – the home of the Butchulla people – was taken away,” Ms Minniecon said.

“Thankfully it is now through respect to the Butchulla people that K’gari – her name – has been reclaimed.”

Uluru was named Ayers Rock in 1873 by a British explorer and in 1993, the rock was officially renamed Ayers Rock / Uluru.

In 2002, the names were reversed to Uluru / Ayers Rock and either name is fine to use according Parks Australia, which uses the original name, Uluru.