Mt Coolum community park to have new name
A popular little community park in Mt Coolum is all set to have a new significant name, connecting it to its natural heritage and local indigenous language. Sunshine Coast Councillors today unanimously endorsed the proposal for the park at Boardrider Crescent, Mt Coolum to be named ‘Waalum Park’.
A popular little community park in Mt Coolum is all set to have a new significant name, connecting it to its natural heritage and local indigenous language.
Sunshine Coast Councillors today unanimously endorsed the proposal for the park at Boardrider Crescent, Mt Coolum to be named ‘Waalum Park’.
Division 8 Councillor Jason OPray said it was great to see community members taking such pride in their local areas and interest in its heritage and indigenous associations.
“The naming proposal was submitted on behalf of the Seaside Shores Community Association Inc. for the park to be named ‘Wallum Park’, in recognition to its natural connection to the area,” Cr OPray said.
“They had sought the advice of local historians who informed them of how the area had always been wallum heathland and was formerly covered with the pink Wallum Boronia.
“The Wallum Froglet is also known to live in the area’s wetlands.
“The proposed name underwent extensive community and external consultation including with representatives of the local Kabi Kabi people.
“The group approved the naming, however requested the spelling of Wallum be changed to ‘Waalum’, the Kabi Kabi language spelling, which refers to the area’s whole ecosystem and was supported by the applicant.”
Waalum is pronounced “Waa lum”.