The Queensland Authorities as we speak introduced the official title change of one of many State’s most treasured and culturally important locations to its Conventional title ‘Okay’gari’ (previously Fraser Island). The announcement formally recognises the Butchulla Folks’s connection to the island and the creation story that has been handed down for generations.
In conventional Butchulla tradition, the island holds immense historical past in its lakes, waterways, shoreline, skies and rainforest. Gaining UNESCO World Heritage Space standing in 1992, it was shaped from sand accumulation over 750,000 years – turning into the world’s largest sand island. The Butchulla Folks have understood its significance for an estimated 20,000 years, forging an unimaginable reference to the land, sea, wildlife that stay harmoniously.
Within the lead as much as the reinstatement of the unique title, Dr Rose Barrowcliffe, a Submit Doctoral Analysis Fellow and Butchulla Girl defined the significance of returning the unique place title to Butchulla Folks.
“Okay’gari is a type of locations that’s extremely well-known, not simply nationally however internationally. We have now an enormous quantity of worldwide guests that come to see Okay’gari yearly. So, what we’re doing after we are respecting Indigenous place names, is we’re respecting Indigenous tradition,” Dr Barrowcliffe stated.
“Australia has the oldest constantly residing cultures on the earth. It’s probably the most distinctive factor about us as a continent and a vacation spot. So, by honouring Indigenous cultures and utilizing place names, we’re elevating up the tradition and saying we’re happy with it. And we’re showcasing a novel a part of our providing to the world.”
Situated simply 300km north of the Queensland capital, Brisbane, Okay’gari is and can proceed to be a well-liked vacation spot for each home and worldwide guests. In 2022, greater than 800,000 guests travelled to the Fraser Coast, together with a file variety of interstate guests from round Australia.
Tourism and Occasions Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan stated Okay’gari was one among Queensland and Australia’s most spectacular locations to go to.
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“Okay’gari is the world’s largest sand island and he or she has historic tales to inform and breathtaking moments for guests to get pleasure from,” Ms O’Callaghan stated. “The return to the island’s conventional title is a major step in its historical past and displays Queensland’s distinctive place as the one place on earth the place our two historic cultures proceed to stay side-by-side. Guests to Okay’gari are spoiled for lovely surroundings however most significantly they’ll embrace the tradition of the Butchulla Individuals who have known as the island dwelling for tens of 1000’s of years. We welcome guests from across the globe to go to and see for themselves why this place is so particular. We additionally stay up for working with the Butchulla Folks to proceed to showcase their tradition to guests.”
Earlier than clarifying the pronunciation of the standard place title, Butchulla Aboriginal Company Language and Cultural Coordinator, Aunty Joyce Bonner, additionally defined what Okay’gari means to the Butchulla Folks.
“Okay’gari means to me, dwelling. Dwelling amongst my Folks, the descendants, the ancestors, the Midiru (Conventional House owners). It’s our place. It’s what we name dwelling. Okay’gari is spelt with a Okay or a G. The Okay is a silent Okay as in know, knew, knife,” Aunty Joyce Bonner stated.
The Butchulla Folks of Okay’gari abide by three lores which guests may observe when visiting Okay’gari.
“‘Minyang galangoor gu, djaa kalim baya-m’ which is about nation, ‘what is nice for nation should come first,” Aunty Joyce Bonner defined. “‘Minyang waa nyinung, waa bunmalee dhama-n’ is about ‘don’t contact or take something that’s right here on nation’, it’s there for a cause, it’s for the sacredness of our ancestors and it’s our responsibility to carry out and take care of it. And our third lore, ‘wangou nyin gamindu, biralunbar nyin wumga-n’, ‘you probably have lots, you could share’. So, what we imply by sharing it’s sharing of values, the cultural belongings that we have now right here and it’s about sharing the training of tradition to make sure the island is protected for the following technology.”
A part of the Nice Sandy Biosphere designated by UNESCO in 2009, Okay’gari is among the most original and naturally gorgeous locations on earth. There aren’t any roads on the island and guests are guided by the sand tracks and the waterways resulting in all corners of this World Heritage Listed Surprise, together with the crystal-clear freshwater of Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) – simply one among roughly 100 freshwater lakes on the island. The world’s largest perched lake, recognized to the Butchulla Folks as Lake Boomanjin, can also be discovered on Okay’gari. On the northern finish of the island, guests can bathe within the effervescent Champagne Rock Swimming pools earlier than trekking alongside 75 Mile Seashore beside towering colored sand cliffs and floating down the cool waters of Eli Creek. Lastly, flip the compass inland and depart solely footprints on tracks to seek out the one recognized place on the earth the place rainforest grows on a sand island.
Head to queensland.com for extra info and to start out planning the following Okay’gari journey.
