Green Island (Queensland)

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For the National Park, see Green Island National Park.

Green Island [1] (originally Dabuukji) is a very popular coral cay 27 km (17 mi) offshore from Cairns, located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park World Heritage Area.

Contents

[edit] Origins

The island was formed approximately 6,000 years ago by waves depositing sand, coral and other debris onto its coral foundations.[2]

The local Aboriginal people (particularly Dick Moses, speaking Yidinyji) have reported that some time back in the past (in time immemorial) Dabuukji (Green Island) was approximately four times the size it is now. The present coral cay is only the north-east portion of the whole, original island.[3]

[edit] Naming History

Local Aboriginal language speakers (Roy Banning, Robert Patterson, and Henry Fourmile) advised and confirmed the Gungganyji language group are especially connected with Green Island. To them it is named Dabuukji, being "..the place of the hole in the nose".[4]

Dabuukji, as a name, may refer to the island having been within local Aboriginal mythology and history a larger island with a freshwater marsh or 'hole' (later a well) at its centre. Alternatively it may be a reference to the story of the turtle which first obtained holes in its nose (nostrils) on this coral cay. It may also be a reference to some aspect of young Gungganyji male initiation rituals reported to have been conducted on this coral cay in times past.[4] There is a strong chance the name alludes to all three of the above, in combination.

Whatever the case may be, all local Aboriginal language speakers appear to have grown up with the understanding the coral cay was a place to be generally avoided, being wunjami, that is, "a place haunted by spirits".[4]

The State of Queensland has listed 'Green Island' as the cay's official name, this being the name given it by Lieutenant James Cook on 10 June 1770, either because of the appearance of the coral cay's vegetation, or possibly after Charles Green, who was an astronomer aboard the Endeavour at the time.[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Queensland Government Placenames Accessed 20 November 2007
  2. ^ Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Webpage Accessed 20 November 2007
  3. ^ Dixon, R.M.W. (1996) Origin legends and linguistic relationships Oceania, Volume 67 Number 2
  4. ^ a b c Martyn, Julie (1993) The History of Green Island: The Place of Spirits Cairns: Bolton Inprint, ISBN 0646132709



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