Dual naming
Embracing Australia’s heritage
WORDS KATE ROBERTSON
Dual naming
Embracing Australia’s heritage
WORDS KATE ROBERTSON
Darren 'Capes' Capewell says it's important to use Aboriginal place names.
Tourism Australia’s push to use dual naming of Australia’s major cities and other geographical places is shining a brighter light on the country’s rich Indigenous heritage.
You may be more familiar with the names Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane than Naarm, Warrane and Meeanjin but the decision by Tourism Australia to include Indigenous place names alongside the English name will soon have them rolling off your tongue.
Bec Sampi leads tours in the Purnululu National Park, which includes Gija and Jaru Country.
Phil Lockyer, a Noongar man and Tourism Australia’s Head of Indigenous Affairs, says the move acknowledges the custodianship of Country that Indigenous peoples hold throughout the Australian continent.
‘We are recognising tens of thousands of years of Indigenous cultures, language, and knowledge.’
Dual naming is not without precedent. In 1993, the Anangu Traditional Owners changed the name of the rock formation in Australia’s Red Centre from the English name Ayers Rock, to Ayers Rock/Uluru. It is now more commonly referred to by its Aboriginal name, Uluru.
‘Australia is a diverse place. We’ve got diverse Indigenous cultures that have been around for 65,000 years. Culture is still strong. Language is now growing and seeing that language expressed normalises it, and normalises Aboriginal cultures and language being part of Australian society and our everyday language,’ Phil says.
You only need to scratch the surface of Sydney/Warrane to find a rich seam of Aboriginal history and culture.
‘If you're a non-Indigenous person, it should give you this greater sense of connection to a place as opposed to just the name of some explorer. And we find international travellers do want to engage in Indigenous culture.’
Importantly, Phil says the move will be welcomed by Indigenous Australians.
‘I think most Aboriginal peoples love that we're moving past just acknowledging Country and we're actually normalising language. I think the more we talk about Country, the more it demonstrates that culture is everywhere and an immersive experience can be had everywhere, whether it be just a walking tour in the city or being out bush for a few days.’
Named Ayers Rock by white explorers, Uluru reverted to its traditional Anangu name in 1993.
Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell, operator of Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures agrees: ‘It’s absolutely important. It’s the right thing to do to be respectful. Language belongs to Country and it's part of telling the story. It gives people a sense of belonging; it's part of the awakening. It's a bit like throwing a stone in the water — it's that ripple effect.’
The Yarra River/Birrarung runs through the heart of Melbourne/Naarm.
Koorie Heritage Trust guide Lucas Hyatt says dual naming enriches the visitor experience, with Aboriginal names providing insights into the geography, culture and history of a place. For example, Melbourne/Naarm’s Yarra River is now also referred to by the name given to it by the Wurundjeri — Birrarung.
Birrarung means, 'River of mist and shadows'.
‘Giving people the understanding and awareness that (Aboriginal cultures) do still exist just makes Australia a better place,' Lucas says.
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aboriginal names
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PRONOUNCIATION GUIDE
PERTH / BOORLOO
CAIRNS / GIMUY
DARWIN / Gulumerrdgen
BRISBANE / Meeanjin
MELBOURNE / NaARM
HOBART / NIPALUNA
BROOME / Rubibi
ADELAIDE / Tarntanya
ULURU / ULURU
SYDNEY / Warrane
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CLICK ON AN ICON to see THE
aboriginal names
Learn more about Aboriginal cultures and Country through language and in places where the Traditional Owners’ name is now used. For example:
Uluru
Cave Art Tour — Cultural Walk, Maruku Arts
Uluru is probably the most high-profile place in Australia to revert to its Aboriginal name after being known as Ayers Rock. Listen to your Anangu guide explain in Pitjantjatjara the Creation time (Tjukurpa) stories behind the rock art at Uluru during a translated talk.
Kununurra
The Iconic Kimberley Air Safari, Kingfisher Tours
Discover two magnificent Kimberley National Parks — Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls) and Purnululu — on the exclusive, multi-day Iconic Kimberley Air Safari that will enable you to explore traditional lands with local Gija woman and guide Bec Sampi.
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