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Correspondence Between Sydney May And F.J Watson Concerning Aboriginal Place Names (ITM489477)
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Nyleta, Grosvenor Street, Toowong S.W.1. April 9th, 1940.
Mr. Sidney May_, Hon. Secretary, Place Names Committee, University of Queensland.
Dear Sir,
My delay in answering your letter (undated) re. the meaning of the name of the island Bungunba is owing to the fact that, having no personal thereof I have been making inquiries, but, I regret, without effect. I might, however, suggest a way for further inquiry. In the Brisbane River language bungum is the name of a basket or bag. At Dunwich, on Stradbroke Island, I have seen some interesting aboriginal work of this kind, woven from a shrub or reed of the swamps near by; and, as work of this kind was usually named after the material used, it might be of some interest to find the name of the material and whether it was plentiful on the island in question. Perhaps the superintendent of the Aboriginal Station at Miora, near Dunwich, could obtain the name from some of the descendants of the original natives,--Goenpul-- of Stradbroke Island.
Yours faithfully, FJWatson