The following research was carried out for the shorter version printed as a
"Looking Back" column for the Kimberley Echo dated
February 24th 2011.[Short Version]
Research of documents from KHS Archives, “Withers Gift” has found some very interesting and little known facts that thoroughly documents the naming of the new town for the Ord River Diversion dam and the Ord River Irrigation Area Project, Kununurra, which was gazetted as a town on February 10th 1961.
Letter to Miss Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee. [29 Sep. 1958/9?]
Memo to Nomenclature Advisory Committee. (25 Sep. 1959)
NAMES OF TREES: - [For Street Names - KHS] (25 Sep. 1959)
TRIBAL NAMES: (25 Sep. 1959)
Memo to Mr John G. Lewis, Hydraulic Branch, PWD (5 Oct. 1959)
NAMES OF TREES: - [For street names - KHS] (5 Oct. 1959)
TRIBAL NAMES: (Aboriginal) (No Meaning) (5 Oct. 1959)
Tindale 1940 Map Reference (5 Oct. 1959)
Names from Sanitarium box - Handwritten Note (8 Oct. 1959)
Letter to The Surveyor General (12 Oct. 1959)
Article from The West Australian, dated 15 Oct. 1959
Article from the Sunday Times, dated 18 Oct. 1959
Letter to the Acting Superintendant, Mapping Branch (3 Nov. 1959)
Memo to Miss L Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee (4 Dec. 1959)
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands (4 Dec. 1959)
Memo to Hon.
Minister for Works (14 Dec. 1959)
Memo to Hon. Minister for Lands (16 Dec. 1959)
Memo to the Superintendant, Mapping Branch, Dept. of Lands and Surveys (16 Dec. 1959)
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands (16 Dec. 1959)
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands (5 Jan. 1960)
Memo to the Hon. Minister for Lands (27 Jan. 1960)
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands (29 Jan. 1960)
Memo to the Supt. Post Offices Branch of the G.P.O. PMG, GPO Perth. (3 Feb. 1960)
Memo to the Under Secretary for Land (5 Feb. 1960)
Memo to the Acting Supt., Mapping Branch, Dept. of Lands and Surveys (10 Feb. 1960)
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands (12 Feb. 1960)
Further References to the name for blacksoil
Earliest Mentions of “Cununurra Clay” in the Newspapers. (11 Sept. 1947)
We must populate our Northland if we hope to remain in possession (11 Sept. 1947)
A Crocodile Hunt On The Ord River (10 Apr. 1948)
The Kimberleys Revisited (25 Aug. 1949)
END of Research
Download a PDF of this Research
Letter
to Miss Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee.
From John G. Lewis P.W.D. dated 29 Sept. 1958 [Should be 1959? AB]
The
first item below is a letter from the public Works Department, which
puts forward the names of Wandjira and Nungali, tribal names of the
area taken from a (1940's?) Tindale Map. The handwritten letter
addressed to Miss Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee, was from John G. Lewis P.W.D. And dated 29.9.58 at top
right of page 3220/59 – 1992 / 60 and a date that looks like
10/10/5(9?) then c[copy to?] Court (or Govt?) M. Wild M. Nalder –
Bovell. (Either to or signed by Bovell?). These notes above had been
added to the memo after it had been sent.
In
the top left hand corner is a some text that has a torn section
through the centre of it saying “Tin” [section missing] “e”
then on the next line “Map (in?) Archives.” – By the general
conversation I deduced this to be “Tindale” and “Map in
Archives” – AB 20 II 2011 – Does this relate to PWD Archives?
OR KHS OR WA SRO? – After some thought I believe this would be
referring to a PWD archive at the time.
This
suggests that these two Aboriginal names first put forward were from
a map of tribal areas by Anthropologist Norman Tindale. – From KHS
Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42.
Miss
Gardiner, Nomenclature
Herewith
map showing tribal names as promised. See back page of book.
I
was rather impressed with
WANDJIRA
or NUNGALI
Several
others sound quite well but as mentioned, I have no clue as to
meaning.
Could
I have the book back when you have finished please.
John
G. Lewis
P.W.D.
29.9.58
[It
could be possible that John Lewis wrote this in 1959 and put the 1958
date by mistake, as all other correspondence starts in September
1959. The Ord project was not funded by the Commonwealth until the
latter part of 1959, so this date is puzzling. – AB 21 II 2011]
[The
letter then has some notes in two lines of shorthand, the first line
ending in what looks like...]
Anthropologist
[? Tindale?]
[Then
below that is another handwritten note, but not in John Lewis's hand.
– AB 21 II 2011]
“Tribal
name has no meaning.”
[BACK to top of...]
Letter to Miss Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee.
[29 Sep. 1958/9?]
OR Next Memo to Nomenclature Advisory Committee. (25 Sep. 1959)
Top - Quick Contents
[END]
Memo to Nomenclature Advisory
Committee.
From [Likely from] Miss Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee dated 25 Sept. 1959
[Below
is one of the earliest official documents found in KHS archives about
the naming of Kununurra – Full text transcribed by AB for KHS on 20
II 2011 – Unknown Author but may have been Miss Gardiner –
Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee – AB 20 II 2011 –
From KHS Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
[Handwritten
at top of page 3220/59 – 1992 / 60 and a number 2 in a circle. ]
25th
September, 1959.
Mr.
J.G. Lewis, Hydraulic Branch, Public Works Department rang to say
that a new townsite was being created on the Ord River near Bandicoot
Bar (Diversion Damsite).
Mr.
Surveyor McFadden visited the area to assist the Public Works
Department, and Mr. Long of Town Planning has laid out a few streets
in the townsite.
Mr.
Lewis would like to give the township a native name, and the
streets to be named after trees native to the district. Common names.
Naming
after pioneers of Kimberley had been considered but were not favoured
The
naming to be kept confidential until agreement reached, then
submitted officially.
BACK to top of Memo to Nomenclature Advisory Committee. (25 Sep. 1959)
OR Next NAMES OF TREES: - [For Street Names - KHS] (25 Sep. 1959)
Top - Contents
NAMES
OF TREES: - [For Street Names - KHS]
Mangaloo:
known as the “Pear Tree”-native to Kimberley.
CAJUPUT:
BOX:
KONKERBERRY
or KONKERBERRI: Shrub
GREWIA: Shrub
KURRAJONG:
BAUHINIA:
ROSEWOOD: Shrub
LEICHHARDT:
BACK to top of NAMES OF TREES: - [For Street Names - KHS] (25 Sep. 1959)
TRIBAL
NAMES:
ARAWARI
or ARAWODI (Within area) Taken from 2 maps.
JEIDJI
or YEIDJI do ” ” 2 maps.
Further
away:
MUMANDIL,
YAMANDIL.
Still
further away:
MALDIN
OR MALJIN.
BACK to top of TRIBAL NAMES:
(25 Sep. 1959)
OR Next Memo to Mr John G. Lewis, Hydraulic Branch, PWD (5 Oct. 1959)
Top - Contents
[END]
Memo to Mr John G. Lewis, Hydraulic Branch, PWD
From Miss Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee dated 5 Oct. 1959
[In
the next correspondence “ORD” and “ARAWARI” were
suggested as the preferred names for the new townsite on the Ord –
AB 21 II 2011 – 5th October 1959 – Memo from L.G.
(Miss Gardiner ?) to Mr. J.G. Lewis, Hydraulic Branch, Public Works
Department, The Barracks, Perth, W.A. – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
[Handwritten
at top of page] 3220/59.
5th
October 1959
Mr.
J.G. Lewis,
Hydraulic
Branch,
Public
Works Department,
The
Barracks, Perth, W.A.
Dear
Mr. Lewis,
Further
to recent telephonic communications regarding a name for the townsite
being created in the area adjacent to the Ord River Irrigation Dam,
attached hereto is a list of names which have been submitted to the
Surveyor General, who is the Chairman of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee.
The
aboriginal tribal names were discussed by Mr. Camm, Mr. Ryan and Mr.
McFadden and “ARAWARI” was favoured. However the opinion
was expressed by the Chairman that “ORD” would be a
suitable name because of the proximity of the Ord River and
Irrigation Dam.
When
you submit your choice for the decision of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee, it will be referred to the Hon. Minister for Lands for
approval.
The
names of trees and shrubs included on the attached list are submitted
for the purpose of street naming.
The
map you so kindly lent, showing tribal names is returned herewith.
Yours
faithfully,
(Initialled
by Miss Gardiner) L.G.
Secretary,
Nomenclature
Advisory Committee
for
UNDER SECRETARY FOR LANDS
BACK to top of Memo to Mr John G. Lewis, Hydraulic Branch, PWD (5 Oct. 1959)
OR Next NAMES OF TREES: - [For street names - KHS] (5 Oct. 1959)
Top - Contents
[The
attached list is an expanded version of the list in the records
above, as follows.]
NAMES
OF TREES: - [For street names - KHS]
CAJUPUT:
A type of paperbark – large straight branches, heavy foliage.
CHESTNUT:
A very good shade tree, dense foliage, large green leaves. Trunk has
dark grey thick bark.
GREY
BOX: Similar in appearance to Coolibah, but sparser foliage and
lighter coloured bark.
KURRAJONG:
Small tree with a rough dark grey bark and large leaves up to six
inches in diameter. Pink flowers.
KONKERBERRY
or KONKERBERRI: A small bushy scrub [sic shrub] with small narrow
leaves and sharp spines.
ROSEWOOD:
A small shrub with a dense growth of dark green oval-shaped leaves
and many branches.
COOLIBAH:
A large tree with a short trunk and spreading branches. Medium
foliage, long dull, green leaves. Rough, dark grey bark.
BAUHINIA:
Deciduous, losing most of its leaves after June and regaining them in
October when they are a brilliant green in colour. Darg grey bark,
rough and fissued [sic Fissured?].
LEICHHARDT
TREE: No description. Occurs along the river banks, but is rare.
MANGALOO:
(Native Pear) A small deciduous softwood, losing its leaves between
September and November.
BACK to top of NAMES OF TREES: - [For street names - KHS] (5 Oct. 1959)
OR Next TRIBAL NAMES: (Aboriginal) (No Meaning) (5 Oct. 1959)
Top - Contents
TRIBAL
NAMES: (Aboriginal) (No Meaning)
ARAWARI
Townsite area.
ARAWODI Townsite
area.
JEIDJI Townsite
area.
YEIDJI Townsite
area.
MUMANDIL, Further
away
YAMANDIL. Further
away
MALDIN
Still further away:
MALJIN. Still
further away:
BACK to top of TRIBAL NAMES: (Aboriginal) (No Meaning) (5 Oct. 1959)
OR Next Tindale 1940 Map Reference (5 Oct. 1959)
Top - Contents
Tindale 1940 Map Reference
[Found
a reference to a 1940 Tindale Map at the National Library of Australia
that is available online from http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-gmod91
– by zooming in to the East Kimberley, you will see that these
names are listed as tribal names for the areas around the Ord River
Irrigation Area on Tindale's map, used as the source for these
original proposals by John Lewis then, “... discussed by Mr.
Camm, Mr. Ryan and Mr. McFadden and “ARAWARI” was favoured,”
as above. – AB 21 II 2011]
BACK to top of Tindale 1940 Map Reference (5 Oct. 1959)
OR Next Names from Sanitarium box - Handwritten Note (8 Oct. 1959)
Top - Contents
Names from Sanitarium box - Handwritten Note dated 8 Oct. 1959
- [Short
handwritten note dated October 8th 1959 – From KHS
Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42 – Looks like the first
names for the town put forward might have come out of a “Weeties
Packet” – AB 21 II 2011]
-
- [Handwritten
at top of page is 1992 over 60 then 3220/59 which had been crossed
out the date 8/10/59 and a (Page number?) 14.]
8/10/59
[F?]or
details as to compilation of Sanitarium Health Food box book
on native boundaries in W.A. (Tribal Boundaries) Write to Mr.
L. A. Piper, Manager S.H.F. Co. 148 Box Valley Rd. Wahroonga, N.S.W.
[S.H.F.
Co. = Sanitarium Health Food Co. – AB]
BACK to top of Names from Sanitarium box - Handwritten Note (8 Oct. 1959)
OR Next Letter to The Surveyor General (12 Oct. 1959)
Top - Contents
[END]
Letter to The Surveyor General
From Miss Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee dated 12 Oct. 1959
[Transcribed
and added here 21 II 2011 AB – Dated 12th October 1959 –
Memo signed Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee, Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth. – From KHS Archive
number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
[Handwritten
at top of page but crossed out] 3220/59. [then] 1992/60 [Added ]
THE
SURVEYOR GENERAL:
Further
to letter hereunder, Mr. Lewis rang me on the 9th. instant
to advise that the Public Works Department had included an additional
prospective name for the new Townsite being created in the area of
the Ord River Dam.
This
is “Cununurra” and means “Black Soil”. It is the native name
for Ord River. Perhaps it may be the native name for any big river,
but according to Mary Durack it is definitely the name for the “Ord”.
A
soil survey in 1954 [sic – Should be 1944 (The Richter Survey?) –
AB for KHS] disclosed that 99% of the land which will be irrigated is
composed of cununurra clay.
[Signed]
Louise Gardiner
Secretary
Nomenclature
Advisory Committee
12th
October 1959.
BACK to top of Letter to The Surveyor General (12 Oct. 1959)
[END]
Article from The West Australian, dated 15 Oct. 1959
[Press
article from The West Australian, Thursday October 15th
1959 – From KHS Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
The
West Australian, Thursday October 15th 1959
Townsite
Is Planned For Dam Builders
The
men who will work on the Ord River diversion dam will live in a new
townsite.
The
townsite–which will house between 300 and 500 men–may be called
Cununurra, the native name for the Ord River.
It
is the name scientists have given to the black alluvial clay soil
which characterises the Ord River plains.
News
of the townsite was given by North-West Minister Court, Works
Minister Wild and Transport Minister Perkins yesterday, when they
returned to Perth from the Ord area.
They
said that the target was to advance enough with irrigation and
farming by the end of 1965 to be able to assess the possibilities of
the greater Ord scheme.
OBJECTIVES
Two
main objectives were: to complete the diversion dam in three dry
seasons and to develop pilot farms during the building of the dam to
provide practical experience for selected farmers under the
supervision of the Kimberley Research Station. On this experience
would be based the full diversion-dam farm development.
The
Ministers travelled to the Northern Territory border through an area
which could be watered by the Ord River dam. They discussed with
C.S.I.R.O. Land research chief, C. S. Christian and the North-West
officer of the Department of Agriculture, W. M. Nunn, the possibility
of dryland farming near the proposed irrigation areas.
The
dry land could be used to fatten cattle, to take advantage of the
concentrates that agriculture would produce. Experiments would be
made and a pilot plot was being surveyed.
WYNDHAM
ROLE
The
port and townsite of Wyndham would be important in the diversion dam
project, first as the focal point for heavy materials and equipment
and later as the servicing and outlet port.
They
said that the project being attempted in the Ord region was of
importance to all Australia. The success of the diversion dam would
clear the way for the greater Ord scheme.
The
Ministers said that their visit aimed at:
-
Coordinating
all the departments in the project.
-
Making
decisions which would permit planning, basic organisation, and
tenders to be dealt with quickly.
BACK to top of Article from The West Australian, dated 15 Oct. 1959
[END]
Article from the Sunday Times, dated 18 Oct. 1959
[Press
article from The Sunday Times, Sunday October 18th
1959 – From KHS Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
POOL
.. OVALS .. SCENIC VIEWS
This
may be Ord town
[Transcribe
the rest of this article – AB 22 II 2011]
BACK to top of Article from the Sunday Times, dated 18 Oct. 1959
Letter to the Acing Superintendant, Mapping Branch
From Miss Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee dated 3 Nov. 1959
[Transcribed
and added here 21 II 2011 AB – Dated 3rd November 1959 –
Memo signed Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee, Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth. To ACTING
SUPERINTENDENT, MAPPING BRANCH: – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
[Handwritten
at top of page but crossed out is “3220/59” then a (page number?)
“22.” has been crossed out and “11” in a circle replacing it.
]
ACTING
SUPERINTENDENT,
MAPPING
BRANCH:
Discussion
took place at a meeting of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee on the
27th. Ultimo in connection with a name for the new
townsite to be established in the vicinity of the Ord River Damsite.
The
following names were noted by Mr. Robson, representing the Postmaster
General's Department, for investigation from a postal viewpoint :–
“CUNUNURRA”
“ARAWARI” and “ORD”
[Signed]
Louise Gardiner
Secretary
Nomenclature
Advisory Committee
3rd.
November, 1959.
[Other
notes on page.]
[END]
Memo to Miss Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory
Committee
From Mr.
F.J. Robson, Superintendent, Post Offices Branch of the G.P.O. dated 4 Dec. 1959
[Classic!
FJ Robson suggests “ORD RIVER DAM” as the preferred name
for the new townsite on the Ord – Later dumped by Charles Court –
AB 7 II 2011 – Dated 4th December 1959 – Memo from Mr.
F.J. Robson, Superintendent, Post Offices Branch of the G.P.O. To
Miss Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee,
Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth. – This letter is on a POSTMASTER
GENERAL's DEPARTMENT letterhead. From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
Commonwealth
of Australia
POSTMASTER
GENERAL's DEPARTMENT
GENERAL
POST OFFICE, PERTH, W.A.
TELEGRAMS
TELEPHONE
OUR
REFERENCE
0.54/23
4th
December 1959
Dear
Miss Gardiner,
As
arranged during the course of discussion at the last meeting of the
Nomenclature Advisory Committee, consideration has been given to the
suggested names “CUNUNURRA”, “ARAWARI” or “ORD” for the
newly surveyed townsite associated with the Ord River project.
Reference
to the list published in the Post Office Guide reveals that there are
already Post Offices in other states with names closely similar to
“CUNUNURRA” and “ARAWARI”, whilst there is an office named
“ORD” in Queensland. From this Department's view-point,
therefore, adoption of any of the suggested names is not favoured.
Since
it is reasonable to assume the new townsite is located in relative
close proximity to the projected irrigation project, it is suggested
consideration be given to “ORD RIVER DAM” as an
alternative name.
Yours
faithfully,
[Signed]
FJ Robson
(FJ
Robson)
Superintendent,
Post
Offices Branch
The
Secretary,
Nomenclature
Advisory Committee,
Department
of Lands and Surveys,
Perth.
[Handwritten
notes below as follows.]
1
D.S.G (rep 10) [DSG = Deputy Surveyor General]
2
Secretary Nomenclature cttee [Abbreviation for Committee] – 8-12-59
[END]
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands
From Surveyor General Camm dated 4 Dec. 1959
[10th
December 1959 – Memo from Surveyor General Camm to the Under
Secretary for Lands Ref. 2811/59. – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
1. I have seen in the
press and elsewhere reference to the name “Cununurra” with
respect to the townsite at the Ord River.
2. Reference to the
letter at page 22 indicates that this name is probably not suitable,
and I think that if possible use of the name should be stopped
immediately to prevent its adoption by usage.”
3. I recommend that the
Hon. Minister make mention of the fact to the Hon. Ministers for
North West and Works.
4. I further recommend
that the matter be referred to the Nomenclature Advisory Committee.
5. Will you please
pass the file to the Deputy Surveyor General with reference to page
10.
[Signed - Harold ?] Camm
SURVEYOR GENERAL
10th December
1959.
JLF
[Handwritten as follows]
Hon. Minister for Lands
I suggest that the Hon. Ministers for north West & Works be
advised as above.
[Signed (is
this JLF...?)]
U.S. Lands
4.12.59
[U.S. Lands =
Under Secretary for Lands]
[END]
Memo to Hon. Minister for Works
From Minister for Lands dated 14 Dec. 1959
[14th
December 1959 – Memo from Minister for Lands (SB?) to the Hon.
Minister for Works: – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
HON.
MINISTER FOR WORKS:
With
reference to Press statement concerning the name “Cununurra”
which it is suggested should be the name of the townsite at Ord
River, for your information I forward herewith copy of a letter dated
the 4th inst., addressed to the Secretary, Nomenclature
Advisory Committee by the Superintendent, Post Offices Branch,
Western Australia. In view of the advices therein it would appear
desirable to give further consideration to the matter.
I am
advising you of the Postmaster General's opinion now, as I would
appreciate your comments thereon as soon as possible.
[Signed] S.
[?] B.
[Stewart
Bovell]
MINISTER FOR
LANDS.
14th
December 1959
Encl:
[END]
[A duplicate
copy of the above memo has the following added in handwriting, as
below.]
-
D/S.G.
(Rep.10) [D/S.G. = Deputy Surveyor General]
-
Secretary,
Nomenclature ctte (re para 4 p 23)
14 –
12.59
Page 10
Noted
T. Cleave
D.S.G. 15.12.59
Secretary,
Nomenclature Committee.
[D.S.G. =
Deputy Surveyor General – Tom Cleave who was on the 1927 survey
party that built the Kimberley Obelisk, which determines the WA/NT
border on the ground. – AB 25 II 2011]
[END]
Memo to Hon. Minister for Lands
From Hon. Minister for the North West, Charles Court dated 16 Dec. 1959
[16th
December 1959 – Memo from Hon. Minister for The North West, Court
to the Hon. Minister for Lands: – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
I
acknowledge your 14th December, 1959, minute regarding the
name for the new townsite at Ord River.
I will
circulate to members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to
co-ordinate the Ord River Diversion dam project, copy of your minute
together with copy of the P.M.G. Letter under date 4th
December, 1959.
When I have
the comments of the members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee I will get
in touch with you further.
My own
reaction is that we should endeavour to have the name “Cununurra”
adopted if at all possible.
Apart from
its significance in this area, the P.M.G. Has only claimed that there
are post offices in other states with names closely similar to
“Cununurra”.
Personally I
am not in favour of the suggested name “Ord River Dam” as
an alternative.
[Signed] C
Court
MINISTER FOR
THE NORTH WEST.
16th
December, 1959.
[Handwritten
below this is the following reference]
Hon. Minister
for Lands, (re p 27, 28)
18-12.59
[END]
Memo to the Superintendant, Mapping Branch, Dept. of Lands and Surveys
From Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature
Advisory Committee, Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth dated 16 Dec. 1959
[Transcribed
and added here 21 II 2011 AB – Dated 16th December 1959
– Memo signed Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature
Advisory Committee, Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth. To the
SUPERINTENDENT, MAPPING BRANCH: – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
[Handwritten
at top of page but crossed out is “2811/59” then a (page number?)
“26.” has been crossed out and “10” (?) replacing it. ]
ACTING
SUPERINTENDENT,
MAPPING
BRANCH:
At
a meeting of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee on the 15th.
Instant, consideration was given to the naming of the townsite at Ord
River, and particularly a letter from the Postmaster General's
Department which stated that “Arawari”, “Ord”
and “Cununurra” were not favoured by that Department owing
to post offices in other States having similar names.
After
general discussion it was resolved that “GAIRDNER” (not
particularly favoured by the representative of the Postmaster
General's Department because there is a postal district “GARDINER”
in Victoria) and “YAMANDIL” – the name of a tribe about
40 miles distance from the townsite – be submitted to the Hon.
Minister for Lands.
[Signed]
Louise Gardiner
Secretary
Nomenclature
Advisory Committee
16th
December, 1959.
[Other
handwritten notes on page as follows.]
The
Surveyor General,
Recommended
for approval pleased
[signed]
J. M. Ryan
Superintendent
Mapping Branch
16.12.59
[END]
BACK to top of
Memo to the Superintendant, Mapping Branch, Dept. of Lands and Surveys
(16 Dec. 1959)
OR Next - Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands
(16 Dec. 1959)
Top - Contents
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands
From (Camm), Chairman of the Nomenclature
Advisory Committee, Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth dated 16 Dec. 1959
[Transcribed and added
here – AB – 16th December 1959 – Memo from Chairman
of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee (Camm) to the Under Secretary
for Lands Ref. 2811/59. – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
THE UNDER SECRETARY
FOR LANDS:
Further to my
memo on p23 the Nomenclature Advisory Committee gave consideration to
the naming of the townsite at Ord River at a meeting held yesterday.
[15th December 1959] Unfortunately, “Arawari”
and “Ord”, as well as “Cununurra” are not
favoured by the Postmaster General's Department for the reasons set
out on page 22.
It was thought that
“Yamandil” – the name of a tribe about 40 miles away
from the site – might be suitable, but a suggestion that the
townsite be named “Gairdner” in honour of His Excellency
the Governor was very well received by the whole committee,
except perhaps by the Postmaster General's representative on the
Committee owing to the fact that there is a postal district named
“Gairdner” in a suburb of Victoria.”
It was decided that
these two names be submitted to the Honourable Minister for Lands for
his discussion with other Honourable Ministers concerned.
I should mention that
the name “GAIRDNER” has been suggested for a new townsite
to be located near the south coast, but it would appear that that
particular townsite will now be at Chillinup which is likely
to be its name. In any case I consider that the town on the “Ord”
would be more suitable to perpetuate the name of Sir Charles
Gairdner.
I recommend that the
Honourable Minister for Lands be informed that the Nomenclature
Advisory Committee favours the names “Gairdner”
and “Yamandil” in that order,
but would still be prepared to consider other names submitted by any
of the Honourable Ministers.
Harold [?] Camm
CHAIRMAN,
NOMENCLATURE ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
16th
December, 1959.
[Below this is
handwritten notes as follows.]
Hon. Minister for Lands
Submitted for your
decision please.
[Signed ?]
U.S. Lands.
18/12/59.
[END]
1960
BACK to top of
- Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands (16 Dec. 1959)
OR Next -
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands (5 Jan. 1960)
Top - Contents
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands
From Stewart Bovell, Minister for Lands dated 5 Jan. 1960
[5th January
1960 – Memo from the Minister for Lands to the Under Secretary for
Lands Ref. 2811/59 – With (page?) 29 crossed out and 19 written. –
From KHS Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
Please refer Hon.
Minister for the North West's minute, page 28 hereunder, to the
Nomenclature Committee.
Whilst I am very keen
to perpetuate the name of Sir Charles Gairdner,
confusion would, in my opinion, result because of the
Gairdner River at the southern extremity
of the state.
[Signed]
Stewart Bovell
MINISTER
FOR LANDS.
5th January,
1960.
[Handwritten note below
this as follows.]
Chairman,
Nomenclature Advisory
Com.
For the further
consideration of this matter by your committee please.
[Signed ?]
U.S. Lands.
7.1-1960
[END]
Memo to the Hon. Minister for Lands
From the Hon. Minister for the North West, Charles Court dated 27 Jan. 1960
27th Jan 1960
– Memo from Hon. Minister for the North West (Court) to Hon.
Minister for Lands – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42 – Transcribed and added here – AB 21 II
2011 – Court agrees with Min. for Lands that “the name “Ord
River Dam is most undesirable. It could cause a lot of confusion,
particularly if the main damsite is built some thirty miles
upstream”]
HON. MINISTER FOR
LANDS :
Your 14th December,
1959, minute refers.
The matter has been
resubmitted to the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for
Works.
The Minister for
Agriculture has replied as follows …
-
“In the
absence of other ideas I am prepared to accept your choice and leave
it to you to try and overcome the objections of the P.M.G.
Department.”
-
The Minister for
works has commented as under …
-
“I am sorry
for the delay in replying to your minute of 16th
December, but Christmas and the holidays have intervened.
-
I agree that we
should if possible, retain the name of “Cununurra”. Even
though there are names similar thereto in the Eastern States, it is
expected that people would put “Western Australia” on
correspondence.
-
The suggested
name of “Ord River Dam” is not reasonable in my view, as
one has to think of the name of the townsite should the
main dam be built in the not too distant future.
-
Might I suggest
that you press for the retention of the name “Cununurra”.”
After mature
consideration I am of the opinion that the name “Cununurrra”
should be persisted with if at all possible.
I do not think the
objections of the P.M.G. Authorities carry much weight and there are
so many logical reasons why “Cununurra” is a desirable
name for the new townsite.
I agree with the
Minister for works that the name “Ord River Dam” is most
undesirable. It could cause a lot of confusion, particularly if the
main damsite is built some thirty miles upstream than the diversion
dam site.
Under the circumstances
would you be good enough to reconsider the proposition of the name
“Cununurra”? It is regretted that the representations did
not go through the proper channels initially. I am sure you will
forgive the oversight on the part of the three Ministers concerned.
[Signed] C
Court
MINISTER FOR
THE NORTH WEST.
27th
January, 1960.
[END]
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands
From the Hon. Minister for Lands, dated 29 Jan. 1960
[29th
January 1960 – Memo from Minister for Lands (SB?) to the Under
Secretary for Lands: – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42]
THE UNDER SECRETARY
FOR LANDS:
With reference to the
Minister for the North West's minute page 30 [is crossed out and 20
written by hand] hereunder, please request a written report from the
Post Master General's Department, concerning difficulties which that
Department considers will confront it should the name of “Cununurra”
be adopted, and advise me.
[Signed]
Stewart Bovell
MINISTER
FOR LANDS.
29th January,
1960.
[END]
Memo to the Superintendent, Post
Offices Branch of the G.P.O. Post Master General's Department, GPO
Perth.
From the Under Secretary for Land, dated 3 Feb. 1960
[3rd February 1960
– Letter from Under Secretary for Lands to the Superintendent, Post
Offices Branch of the G.P.O. Post Master General's Department, GPO
Perth. – From KHS Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42 –
Transcribed in part and added – Transcribe the full letter – AB
21 II 2011]
“re: Naming of
Townsite – Ord River Project” Ref. 2811/59 3rd
February 1960
“Your [the GPO
Superintendent's] letter dated 4th December 1959
recommended either “Yamandil” or “Gairdner” be
considered [ ] “the Hon. Min. for Lands has submitted these to Hon.
Min. for the NW for consideration by Cabinet sub-committee appointed
to co-ordinate the Ord “Conversion” [sic - Diversion] Dam Project
[+ copy of Dec 4th Letter]
[ ]
The Hon. Min for the NW
has now informed the Hon Min for Lands that “Gairdner” ;
“Yamandil” or “Ord River Dam” are not
favoured by the Cabinet sub-committee and he has requested that
the name “Cununurra” be adopted if at all possible.
In rejecting “Ord
River Dam”, the Hon. Min. for Works has commented –
-
“The suggested
name of “Ord River Dam” is not reasonable in my
view, as one has to think of the name of the townsite should
the main dam be built in the not too distant future.”
[ ]
Adding WA would
alleviate postal problems if the name “Cununurra” is
adopted.
Signed Under Secretary
for Lands.
[END]
BACK to top of
- Memo to the Supt. Post Offices Branch of the G.P.O. PMG, GPO Perth. (3 Feb. 1960)
Memo to the Under Secretary for Land
From the Superintendent, Post
Offices Branch of the PMG, GPO
Perth, dated 5 Feb. 1960
[Letter dated 5th
February 1960 from the PMG Superintendent, Post Offices Branch, F. J.
Robson, to the Under Secretary for Lands. – From KHS Archive number
KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42 – Transcribed and added – AB 21 II 2011]
In reply to your
communication of February 3, 1960, (No.2811/59) and adverting to my
previous letter to the Secretary, Nomenclature Committee, of December
4, 1959; the suggested name “CUNUNURRA” is similar to
“CUNNAMULLA” Queensland, “CURRAMULKA” South
Australia, and “CURRAWARNA” New South Wales.
[Then talk of localities
so far from Capital cities being “missent” causing considerable
transit time loss etc. ]
As it would seem that
the name “Cununurra” is favoured, it is submitted for
consideration that many of the hazards of possible missorting could
be minimised by spelling the name “Kununurra”, which is
phonetically the same, but has the distinct advantage to the Post
Office of having no important offices with similar names.
Yours faithfully,
[Signed] F.J. Robson
(F.J. Robson)
Superintendent,
Post offices Branch.
– [Handwritten note verifying?] – US Lands 11/2/60
[END]
Memo to the Acting Superintendant, Mapping Branch, Dept. of Lands and Surveys
From Louise Gardiner, Secretary of the Nomenclature
Advisory Committee, Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth dated 10 Feb. 1960
[Transcribed from KHS
Archive number KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42 – Letter dated 10th
February 1960 from Louise Gairdner, Secretary of the Nomenclature
Advisory Committee re meeting of that committee on 8th
February 1960 – This letter was written a year to the day before
the town was gazetted. – AB 7 II 2011]
10th.
February 1960
Actg.
SUPERINTENDENT,
MAPPING
BRANCH:
At a meeting of the
Nomenclature Advisory Committee on the 8th. Instant. Mr.
F.J. Robson, Superintendent, Post Offices Branch of the G.P.O.
submitted the following information.
-
“Owing to the
similarity of the names “Cunamulla” in Queensland,
“Curramulka” in South Australia and “Currawarna”
in New South Wales., and the fact that “Cununurra” is
favoured for the townsite in the vicinity of the Ord River Dam, it
is suggested that mistakes could be minimised by spelling the name
with a “K” – “Kununurra”, which is phonetically the
same, but has the distinct advantage to the Post Office of having no
important offices with similar names”
The committee agreed,
subject to the concurrence of the Honourable Ministers concerned.
Louise Gairdner,
Secretary of the Nomenclature Advisory Committee
[END]
Memo to the Under Secretary for Lands
From Surveyor General Camm, Dept. of Lands and Surveys, Perth dated 12 Feb. 1960
Surveyor General Camm in
a letter to the Under Secretary for Lands, dated 12th
February 1960, approves the name Kununurra after the PMG's department
submitted a compromise from “Cununurra.” Camm mentions examples
Kalumburu & Karunjie as “K” being
“fairly general” for the Kimberley.
Extract from
Vol.1 of L^S 1992/60
Letter
brought in personally by FJ Robson to Nomenclature Committee meeting
on 8th February 1960.
[ ]
[Signed]
Harrald [?] Camm
SURVEYOR
GENERAL:
[Handwritten
note as follows.]
Hon. Minister
for Lands ”Kununurra” recommended for your approval.
[signed]
Bovell
U.S. Lands
1st
March 1960
[U.S. Lands =
Under Secretary for Lands]
Reference
(Photocopy of the letter in KHS Archives) KHS-2002-46-WG-ex-FC42
Further References to the name for blacksoil
Earliest
Mentions of “Cununurra Clay” in the Newspapers.
-
-
The Ord surveys of
1944, saw the release of the Richter survey of soil classification,
when the blacksoil of the Ord River valley was named “Cununurra
Clay.” A search on Trove has turned up some early use of the word.
-
We must populate
our Northland if we hope to remain in possession
-
NEW CHUM IN THE
NORTH
-
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/52180798?searchTerm=cununurra&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc
-
-
Western Mail
(Perth, WA : 1885-1954) Thursday 11 September 1947 p 42 Article
Illustrated
-
... area consisted of
Cununurra clay, a dark grey-brown clay soil which cracks into large
irregular ... vine, grain sorghums and many types of grasses and
fodder plants. The Cununurra clay or blacksoil ... 2666 words
-
A Crocodile Hunt
On The Ord River
-
[Be warned this is quite shocking! – AB 25 II
2011]
-
-
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/46902410?searchTerm=cununurra&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc
-
-
The West
Australian (Perth, WA : 1879-1954) Saturday 10 April 1948
Edition: 3rd EDITION p 19 Article Illustrated
-
... 40,000 acres of
cununurra clay-a new and puzzling soil type which is giving
our scientists some ... 622 words
-
-
THE KIMBERLEYS
REVISITED
-
Considerable progress has
been made in an important experimental programme on the Ord River
-
-
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/39095829?searchTerm=cununurra&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc
-
-
Western Mail
(Perth, WA : 1885-1954)
-
Thursday 25
August 1949
Supplement: The
WESTERN MAIL COUNTRYMAN'S MAGAZINE
p 4 Article Illustrated
-
... rich-looking
Cununurra clay or blacksoil proved to be far less fertile than it
would appear to the ... 2799 words
This research was compiled by Andrew Barker for KHS in February 2011 and can be downloaded as a PDF from the link below.