Island now officially K’Gari

CRAIG WINTER

K’GARI, or ‘paradise’ in the language of the Butchulla people, has now officially replaced the name ‘Fraser Island’.

Around 19 hectares of the island have also been handed back to the traditional owners in a ceremony last week.

Whilst the Environment Department had already rebadged the Great Sandy National Park area of the island as K’Gari in 2017, and in 2021 UNESCO formally adopted the name, the universal change has only just been made.

Opinions are still divided on the name change, with many struggling to come to terms with it on Facebook.

“Always will be Fraser Island” said several comments on The Maryborough Sun’s post announcing the change.

However, supporters were quick to defend and agree with the change.

“Congratulations to all who worked to bring this about. Love the respect.” said one.

K’gari was originally known as Great Sandy Island before it was changed to Fraser Island, after Scotswoman Eliza Fraser was shipwrecked there in the 1830s.

However Eliza promoted a fictitious and disingenuous portrayal of the local people for commercial gain.

Whilst she was actually cared for and accepted by the Butchulla, her fallacious stories of being ‘held captive’ made her a celebrity once she returned to ‘civilisation’.

Her name has now been officially - and many say appropriately - erased from the island’s name.

The move to reinstate the island’s indigenous name came after a long campaign by traditional owners.