KIM BELIEVES TIME IS ‘RIGHT’ FOR RUSSELL ISLAND NAME CHANGE TO ‘CANAIPA ISLAND’
Member for Redlands, Kim Richards, believes the ‘time is right’ for Russell Island to return to its indigenous name, Canaipa Island, and she is not the only one who thinks so.
She has started an online survey to gauge the feelings of the community in what could lead to an eventual change to aboriginal names for all the islands of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
But the first one on the list is Canaipa/Russell Island.
The name Russell Island is not regarded well historically for the island.
You only have to google it to see the name has been tarnished on several fronts.
It also relates back to a relatively minor English official back in the mid1800’s.
Canaipa is the aboriginal name for the island that is already used in many ways and by some island businesses and organisations.
Member for Redlands, Kim Richards, believes there is a good chance of a name change, and likens the situation to the recent re-naming of Fraser Island to K’gari Island.
Kim Richards told The Friendly Bay Islander: “I’m currently about to get underway a survey of residents on the name of Russell Island and I’m very keen to get the island community’s opinion on whether we should rename it ‘Canaipa Island’. “
We have an online survey, and we will be out talking to locals on this in the coming weeks to provide feedback to the Minister for Resources.
It is not the first ‘push’ for a name change.
In 2014 there was considerable support at island and community level for the name change to Canaipa.
It was also supported by the Quandamooka people as well.
However, it was a different Government back then and its resolve was equal to the then effort.
Kim Richards says that whilst Canaipa/Russell Island is the subject of the initial survey, she believes that indigenous naming will eventually apply to Lamb and Macleay Islands as well.
Karragarra (obviously) is already using its original indigenous name.
She also added that any name change need not necessarily have an impact on island businesses and name changes.
“There will clearly be multiple use of names for some times during a period of transition.
“It does not have to impact any current business names, unless the businesses themselves wish to do so,” the Member for Redlands said.
You can participate in the current survey and email her office with your thoughts at redlands@parliament.qld.gov.au
• Kim Richards with Cr Mark Edwards and a Canaipa Island welcome sign!
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