First Nations Language Collection

25th November, 1940.

F.J. Watson, Esq., "Nyleta", Union Street, TOOWONG. S.W.1.

Dear Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 22nd instant, I have to thank you for your excellent advice. We investigated the three words, Yuraba, Burooba and Wanduma, all of which seem very suitable.

At my talk to the Constitutional Club last Thursday, I was asked to suggest a name for two or three homes (i) place on a hill, (ii) a place with two weeping figtrees (ficus benjamini), (iii) an explanation of "Lota". Furthermore, I have been asked to supply the aboriginal name for (i) Sandgate, (ii) Shorncliffe or the Cabbage Tree Creek end of Sandgate. You could give the actual name or suggest a euphonious name describing the locality. Originally called Shorncliffe, the adoption of this name for the Railway Station and State School has caused confusion of locality.

I would also like to know the aboriginal name for "bend in the river".

I will probably have the opportunity to call out and see you on Wednesday afternoon and discuss these matters.

Yours faithfully,

Hon. Secretary.

Nyleta, Union street, Toowong, S.W.1. Nov. 22nd, 1940.

Mr. Sydney May, Hon. Secretary, Q'ld, Place Names Committee, University of Queensland

Dear Sir,

I have letter of yesterday with description of West Nundah to hand. With regard to the trees mentioned, the native names of those not yet embodied in place names are not such as would help to make a euphonious place name except perhaps Yúrabá, meaning "place of spotted gum trees". With regard to the hilly nature of the place the word Búrubá (Buroóbá) meaning" place of hills" might be suggested,; the name , however, implies plurality and would not suit if for one hill only. Burunga, sometimes pronounced búruná (buroóná) means"hilly" , but this would be too much like the existing place name, _Baroona , which possibly has the same origin. Bári-ngá, which may also be pronounced "Báriná" means "at or on the top". Nya-gilli, (the ultimate vowel as ee in english bee), meaning "See a long way". Nya-kuĺla-kuĺla, meaning"see there and there, i.e. everywhere". Perhaps the most suitable name would be Wańduma, meaning "Rising or climbing upward". This word is common to the the local and two adjacent languages and a place of this description was actually so-named by the blacks but does not appear on any official map. Care should be taken to note whether any of these names are already in use.

Yours faithfully, FJ Watson P.S. Please note the accentuation of syllables. FJW.