K'gari place name proposal

This consultation is closed. 
Decision: To change the name of the geographical feature and the locality, Fraser Island, to K'gari (pronounced 'GUR-rie' or 'Gurri').

We are seeking feedback on a proposal to change the name of Fraser Island and its associated locality to K’gari (pronounced ‘GUR-rie’ or ‘Gurri’), the Butchulla Peoples’ traditional name for the island.

The name K’gari comes from one of the Butchulla Peoples' traditional creation stories that explains how the island and surrounding lands were formed. K’gari is the name of the white spirit that was sent down from the sky by the god Beeral, to help his messenger Yindingie make the land and seas that are home to the Butchulla People.

The following publications retell this creation story in its traditional context, along with artwork that is used when passing this cultural knowledge on between generations:

K’gari: the Creation of Fraser Island (2019) authored and illustrated by Nai Nai Bird and published by Cengage; and

Legends of Fraser Island (1994) authored by Olga Miller and illustrated by Nai Nai Bird and published by Rigby Heinemann.

In 2021, the name of the Fraser Island World Heritage Area was changed to K’gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area to acknowledge the Butchulla Peoples’ traditional name for the island. The next steps are to undertake consultation to change the name of the island itself. Extensive engagement has taken place with Traditional Owners and local stakeholders to inform the proposal to officially change the name of the entire island and locality.

Consultation with Butchulla elders has determined that pronunciation and spelling will vary among different family groups. Both pronunciations ‘GUR-rie’ and ‘Gurri’ are commonly accepted and used.

Acknowledging First Nations people and language through place names builds and strengthens the Queensland Government commitment towards reconciliation and supports Queensland’s Path to Treaty Commitment.

Have your say - Fraser Island or K'gari

Community consultation opened for eight weeks starting 5 August 2022.

Queensland is home to the nation’s second largest population of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, the world’s oldest continuous living culture.

Our state is enriched by the cultures, knowledge, and contributions of First Nations people, who have occupied and cared for this continent for more than 65,000 years.

The naming of any place with a First Nations history signifies an increased recognition and respect of the culture that has existed for thousands of years and remains today.