A community facility
Cairns State High School would like to introduce to you: Bou-Wa, the Centennial Hall.
The name: Bou-Wa
Bou-Wa, meaning rock wallaby of the kind found in the coastal areas, was a Yidinji leader, an elder, who looked after his tribe. As a young man, he made a coat from the animal, Bou-Wa, so he became known as Bou-Wa.
Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji Elder and grandson Uncle Peter Hyde, Boomi, connects his ancestor to the building on a level beyond the name. On a visit during construction, he said, "Seeing this coat now, that says strong. He is a strong man." [Uncle Peter Hyde, 21 August 2020]
Fred Mundraby (left) with Bou-Wa (Charlie Hyde, right). Charlie's sister, Amy, married Fred and Fred's sister, Martha, married Charlie.
