North Stradbroke Island should revert to traditional indigenous name

Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island should be renamed Minjerribah - its traditional indigenous name - in the same way Ayers Rock was renamed Uluru in 1995, according to an economic study into the island's future.

The renaming is one of the recommendations of North Stradbroke Island's Economic Transition Strategy which began in 2011 and has been re-focussed since the January 2015 Queensland election.

Another recommendation is that 'Minjerribah' become a centre for whale conservation, whale-watching and scientific exploration as part of the $20 million economic transition of the island.

Current tourism initiatives include a $20,000 project to mount a large humpback whale skeleton, washed ashore in 2011, at Point Lookout and a further $300,000 to build a whale watching platform at Point Lookout.

Talks have been underway on the Island’s economic future between the island's indigenous owners, the Quandamooka people, Sibelco, Redland City Council, tourism bodies and Queensland Government departments of state development and environment and heritage since March 2015.

Commenting on the renaming, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) Chief Executive Cameron Costello stated “it is the traditional name for the island and, given there was in 2011 formal recognition for the lands coming back to the traditional owners, we think it is time for change.

"We feel it is no different whatsoever to what happened with Uluru."

Minjerribah means ‘Island in the Sun’ in the Nunukul language. The Nunukul have lived on Minjerribah for 21,000 years.

The name Stradbroke was given in 1827 by a British naval explorer Captain Henry John Rous, after his father, the Earl of Stradbroke.

Images: Whales at North Stradbroke Island (courtesy of Discover Stradbroke) and visitors at Point Lookout.

9th June 2015 - WHALES COMMENCE SEASONAL MIGRATION ALONG EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA

4th July 2011 - NATIVE TITLE WIN FOR NORTH STRADBROKE’S TRADITIONAL OWNERS