Place Names Register Extract

Gunbalanya

Extract date: 29/03/2024

Name Gunbalanya
Type Designation Major
Place Id 329
Place Type Aboriginal Community
Status Registered
Date Registered 10 October 2001
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -12° 19' S (Decimal degrees -12.324)
Longitude: 133° 03' E (Decimal degrees 133.056)
Locality / Suburb  
  Gunbalanya
Land Council Northern Land Council
Resource Centre Managed by Local Government
Local Government Area  
  West Arnhem Shire Council
Alternate Names  
  Kunbarllanjnja
  Oenpelli
History/Origin Gunbalunya is a mostly Aboriginal community, east of Jabiru in western Arnhem Land and 320km east of Darwin.

Originally established by Paddy Cahill as his homestead in 1906 when he took up a Pastoral Lease in the area and established a diary herd there. Cahill named his property Oenpelli, an anglisised pronounciation of the name Un-balange.

In 1916 Gilruth's administration acquired Cahill herd and employed his as manager. In October 1925 the Church Mission Society took up a 2000 sq km lease in the area and managed the community until the 1970s when the Gunbalanya Council Inc. was registered and took over management of the community following the Government's policy of self-determination.

The Kunbarllanjnja Community Government Council was established in 1995.

In 2001, following a request from the Council the name Oenpelli was changed to Gunbalanya, a name the council considered easier to pronounce than the more traditional Kunbarllanjnja.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
10/10/2001 NTG40

The Northern Territory Gazetteer is maintained by the Place Names Section,
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.
GPO Box 1680, Darwin NT 0801. Ph 08 8995 5333.
place.names@nt.gov.au

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