Published on Friday, 25 June 2021 at 1:28:25 PM
Albany’s Council has given its unanimous support to apply to Landgate to officially dual-name 28 places of significance to the local Menang-Noongar people with their traditional cultural names for the first time.
Sixteen landmarks across Albany and a further 12 reserves, geographic features, waterways and vegetation will be included in the application, following extensive consultation with local Menang-Noongar Elders and the broader community.
Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said it was a historic decision in acknowledging the rich cultural history of the region’s traditional owners and an important step towards reconciliation.
“This has been a very ambitious exercise but one that has exceeded all expectations and our community should be very proud of what it is achieving,” the Mayor said.
“Stories of the early interactions between Menang people and European settlers here in Albany were ones of harmony and friendship, very different to what occurred in many other places.
“I’m very pleased to see Albany leading the way in restoring and preserving traditional Menang Noongar language and stories, and reconnecting culture with country.”
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpe said traditional place names reflected the history and connection to place that was central to our Menang-Noongar community.
“Restoring these names across Albany will continue to showcase the rich culture and traditions of our local Noongars and I congratulate all who have been involved in this significant project,” he said.
“Menang Noongar place names are part of the unique history of Albany and the region, and they serve to remind the broader community that this area has a lengthy and intrinsic history that predates the arrival of Europeans by tens of thousands of years.”
The Menang-Noongar community discussed and agreed on 66 place names within the City of Albany local government area that were put out for public comment and received overwhelming support.
Twenty-eight of these names were able to be progressed by the City of Albany, while the other 38 names are located on private property or land managed by other stakeholders. Council has voted to continue to work with these landowners to have those places dual-named in the future.
The 28 place names approved by Council which will proceed to Landgate for assessment are:
Mayor Wellington said he was looking forward to Landgate approving the place names.
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