by Associate Professor Daryl McPhee
When I contributed to changing the name of Fraser Island to K’gari in 2022, many couldn’t understand why.
The answer was, and still is, simple – the name was offensive to the local Butchulla people who were treated poorly by the
marooned Eliza Fraser and Captain James Fraser.
K’Gari means “paradise” in their language and is a fitting descriptor.
It is clear from reading social media posts that many will continue to refer to K’Gari as Fraser Island, but this is expected to dissipate over time.
Here on the Gold Coast, there are many accepted location names which already directly reflect Indigenous names, including Coolangatta, Mudgeeraba and Nerang.
Some European location names use derogatory terms for Indigenous people, while others may be constant reminders of negative events including dispossession and massacres.
It is simply respectful and forward-looking to change these names.
In other examples, a local, unique and meaningful Indigenous name can replace a more generic European name or be used in a dual-naming convention.
Just as important as any name itself is the story behind that name which can be provide insights into understanding Indigenous culture and land use prior to, or during, the early stages of European arrival.
For locations with a focus on tourism, Indigenous names can potentially provide an important and meaningful differentiator for a destination in a crowded international tourism market.
Replacing names or dual-naming can also make an important contribution to reconciliation.
In future all Australians to some extent will need to “walk in both worlds”.
Most Indigenous Australians, by necessity, already must walk in a world dominated by European culture.
It is a small but important step for non-Indigenous Australians to start to think of the landscape as Indigenous Australians do.
K’Gari was probably the highest profile and most contentious recent Queensland name change to date given the high local, national, and international profile of the island.
The government received more than 6000 public submissions on the renaming of Fraser Island to K’Gari.
In the case of name changes, public stakeholder engagement should help identify the Indigenous name for a location and what it means.
Many names and meanings were sadly lost due to European colonisation.
Paramount is that a name change should be driven by the local Indigenous community, and not be imposed upon them.
Any name change should not have negative economic or social consequences for the community.
The process for renaming should not be an arduous process for traditional owners, but nor should it be a unilateral decision.
Any proposed name change, regardless of its merits, will draw criticism and a single person should not have to bear the burden of this criticism.
Darumbal (Central Queensland) elder Aunty Sally Vea Vea is asking Australians the same question as was asked on K’Gari – please change these hurtful and insulting names and bring peace and harmony to the mob.
She labels them “racist and derogatory” place names.
“We find it to be dehumanising, upsetting, and discriminatory,” she said.
The Rockhampton Regional Council recently changed the name of Black Gin Creek Road to Gum Tree Creek Road at the request of the Darumbal people.
It’s worth noting the process of renaming has changed since K’Gari in 2022.
But there is still time to have your say on any name change through Queensland’s Department of Resources.
Daryl McPhee is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and author of Environmental History and Ecology of the K’Gari Coast and Noosa.