First Nations Language Collection

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 Burúbá (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 burúná (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.