The local Aboriginal people called the creek by this name, and the Bakarin clan believed to be members of the Jirighuna dialect group of Djabu people. In 1924 the area was surveyed and the railway line opened in 1926. The town was named by William Rankin, the construction manager of the railway, and is a name likely taken from the creek on which it stands, as well as the historic chairman of the separate Bakarberen Aboriginal Reserve. On 31 March 1958, the Bakar Reserve was officially gazetted, formerly Walmera Estate. The name Bakar is likely derived from a local Yirrghuna dialect term meaning hump-backed grass turkey (also known as the bush turkey). The reserved land was then opened to selectors under the Afforestation Act 1913 by Chief Protector of Aborigines Edward Cutler. The Bankar Binya School was opened in 1964; it closed on 30 June 2009.

Mon, 04 May 2026 02:15:05 +0000

The local Aboriginal people called the creek by this name, and the Bakarin clan are believed to have belonged to the Jirighuna dialect group of the Djabu people. Known for their deep connection to the land and ancestral storytelling, their history is now gaining renewed attention as part of broader efforts to understand regional heritage in country towns with complex Indigenous roots. In 1924, the area underwent formal surveying, followed by the arrival of the railway line in 1926—marking a shift in settlement and infrastructure that shaped local community life. The town’s name originates from William Rankin, construction manager of the railway, who named it based on the creek that runs through it and a landmark associated with the historic Bakarberen Aboriginal Reserve. On 31 March 1958, the reserve was officially gazetted under the name Bakar — a term likely derived from a Yirrghuna dialect word meaning hump-backed grass turkey, also known regionally as the bush turkey. This linguistic heritage reflects both the land’s natural symbolism and enduring Aboriginal presence. In 1964, the opening of the Bankar Binya School symbolized a new chapter in local education; though it closed in 2009, its legacy remains significant. These milestones reflect broader patterns of settlement, displacement, and cultural continuity that define many regional communities across the United States and Australia alike. While the railway enabled development, the Timeline of reservation and education underscores ongoing efforts to honor First Nations history amid modern infrastructure and social change. What draws growing attention today is not just the past, but efforts to integrate Aboriginal narratives into public memory. The creek’s name, tied to the Bakarin people and regional bird symbolism, joins historical records in digital archives and local storytelling platforms. For curious visitors and researchers in the US exploring Indigenous history, this intersection offers a starting point for respectful engagement with pre-colonial connections and land-based identity.