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Gimuy

Gimuy is Cairns Traditional Name

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Gimuy Cairns

Gimuy is a coastal city in Far North Queensland, Australia. The name comes from the Traditional Owners of the place, the Yidinji people.

In colonial history, the place was ‘discovered’ by the English in 1876 and named Cairns after Sir William Wellington Cairns, who was the Queensland Governor at the time. Today, it is the 5th biggest city in Queensland, and 14th in Australia.

Gimuy Country

Gimuy is the Yidinji name for Cairns City. An increasing number of outlets are now using Indigenous names in place of colonial titles. Thus Cairns is increasingly being referred to as ‘Gimuy’.

Having traditional Aboriginal names restored and recognised is important. Indeed it helps to keep Indigenous names and information alive.

Cairns city itself is within the traditional lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people.

Gimuy is Cairns

Gimuy Meaning

Gimuy is the Yidinji name for the slippery blue fig (ficus albipila) that grew in large numbers in the area, prior to European invasion and urban development.

Gimuy Walubara Yidinji

The Gimuy Walabura Yidinji people are the Traditional Owners of Cairns from the Barron River in the north, to Edmonton further south. Wala is the Yidinji name for ‘side of the hill’ and bura means ‘people belonging to’.

Yidinji Country

Yidinji tribal lands cover a large area from the Barron River in the north to the Russell River in the south, east to the Murray Prior Range and west to Tolga. The Yidinji people have a number of groups who are custodians of the tribe’s estate.

The Yidinji themselves, are comprised of a number of groups, including; Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Dulabed Malanbarra Yidinji, Mandingalbay Yidinji and the Wadjanbarra Tableland Yidinji.

Yidinji Elders Aboriginal Corporation

Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elders Aboriginal Corporation works to be a catalyst for positive change. Since its foundation in 2000, the corporation has been driven by the same ideas: support, empowerment, and progress. Learn more about their mission, vision, and how the elders go about making the changes they want to see.

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5 responses to “Gimuy is Cairns Traditional Name”

  1. […] Bungalow Cairns is a central Cairns suburb with a population of approximately 2500 people. The suburb is located on the traditional land of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people, who refer to Cairns as Gimuy. […]