First Nations Language Collection

May 8th, 1940.

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

Dear Sir,

I have received a letter from you addressed to Mr T.Welsby under cover addressed to myself. In case that the letter was meant for me I have to advise you that I can give little or no information about the place names of Moreton Bay. It is very likely that those in the Southern portion of the Bay have names derived from the Goenpul, or Stradbroke Island, native language which seems to be entirely lost. Of the origin of the English names I know nothing, but I may remark on three others for what it may be worth.

Re. Kaboora Lake, the spelling Kaiaboora, or Gaiaboora more nearly gives the proper pronunciation of the name.

It is generally known as the Blue Lake on account of the colour of its water. I could not get its meaning.

Re. Miora. This name has, I beleive, been adapted from some southern native language. According to Stradbroke Island natives, the natives' name for the place is Mungalba. I could not get its meaning.

Re. Southport. According to a Yugumbir (local) aborigine, the locality of Southport was called by his tribe, Mundheraba, meaning Place of Mosquitoes." I not that the same name, slightly twisted to Munderewa, is also applied to some part of the south of Stradbroke Island.

Re. Coonangai Bank. This name coincides with a S.E. Queensland word meaning a clear plain or flat, but I do not know if it applies in this case.

Yours faithfully. FJWatson (F.J.Watson).