About the Name - ‘Wontulp-Bi-Buya’ The name Wontulp-Bi-Buya is made up of an Aboriginal language word and two Torres Strait Islander language words. Wontulp is the Wik Munkan name for Mount White on Cape York Peninsula. In the traditional story (see below) of the Cape Keerweer people at Aayka and Aurukun, this mountain moved from Cape Keerweer to Coen. This reminds us of Jesus’ words about the little faith we need to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Bi and Buya each mean ‘light’ and come from the Torres Strait languages of Meriam Mer and Kala Lagaw Ya/Kalaw Kawaw Ya, respectively. These words remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world.
The Coming of the Light is a special celebration of Torres Strait Islanders each year that commemorates the arrival of the first Christian missionaries at Darnley Island on 1st July 1871. The name Wontulp-Bi-Buya, then, stands for faith and the light of Christ.
Wontulp-Bi-Buya College Ltd provides education programs for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia. Wontulp-Bi-Buya College is pronounced: The o in Wontulp is pronounced as in on. The u in Wontulp is pronounced as in pulp. Bi is pronounced as bee (not ‘buy’). The u in Buya is pronounced as in boy.