Lyla Lindsey
Australia is home to the world's oldest surviving culture, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people making up a significant part of its population. The country has taken several initiatives to acknowledge the First Nations people and their culture. One such initiative is the inclusion of traditional place names in mailing addresses. This has been made possible by Australia Post, which allows individuals to include traditional place names in their addresses, thereby paying respect to the true custodians of the country. To find a traditional place name, one can refer to the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia or the AUSTLANG database, which provides information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and place names. Additionally, individuals can enter their postcode, suburb, or federal electorate to identify the traditional owners of their land.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Databases | AUSTLANG database, Geoscience Australia 'Place Names Search', OZBIB |
| Websites | AIATSIS, Australia Post, Landgate |
| Organisations | Australia Post, Landgate, AIATSIS, Biome US |
| Individuals | Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail, Uncle Shannon Ruska, Aunty Joy Murphy |
| Postal services | Australia Post has endorsed the use of traditional names in postal addresses |
| Maps | AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia, Aboriginal Place Names map |
| Language | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages |
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What You'll Learn
The meaning of traditional place names
Place names in Australia often originate from Australian Aboriginal languages. Historically, European explorers and surveyors would ask local Aboriginal people for the name of a place and name it accordingly. However, due to language difficulties, many place names were often misheard or misunderstood. For example, the Yarra River in Melbourne was likely a result of mishearing or misunderstanding.
Some Australian place names have always been called thus by Aboriginal people, and Aboriginal people still live in the area. For instance, the Aboriginal community of Maningrida in the Northern Territory. This is more frequent where non-Indigenous settlement has been less dense, particularly in Central Australia and the Top End.
Watkin Tench, who arrived on the First Fleet in 1788, initially stigmatised Aboriginal languages as harsh and barbarous. However, he later acknowledged that their proper names of men and places, phrases, and words abound with vowels and produce mellifluous and sonorous sounds. Some examples of Aboriginal names for men include Colbee (pronounced Colby), Bereewan, Imeerawanyee, and Wolarawaree.
Australian governments have also officially named many places, especially suburbs, after Aboriginal people or language groups, such as Aranda and Tullamarine.
To find the traditional place name of a location in Australia, you can refer to the AUSTLANG database, which provides information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and place names. Additionally, the Geoscience Australia 'Place Names Search' allows you to search for a place name, geographical feature, or select an area on a map.
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The history of traditional place names
Historically, European explorers and surveyors played a significant role in shaping place names. When encountering new lands, they often interacted with local Aboriginal people, adopting the names they were told for various places. However, language barriers and misunderstandings led to frequent mishearings and misinterpretations, resulting in distorted or corrupted place names. The Yarra River, for instance, is believed to have been named due to such language difficulties. Additionally, European romanticism may have influenced certain place names, with an abundance of translations referring to "pretty" and "resting place."
In some cases, Australian governments have officially named places, especially suburbs, after Aboriginal people or language groups. Suburbs like Aranda and Tullamarine are named in this manner, and these names continue to be used by the Aboriginal people residing in those areas. This practice is more prevalent in regions with less dense non-indigenous settlement, such as Central Australia and the Top End.
Today, there is a growing movement to embrace and celebrate traditional place names in Australia. Organisations like Australia Post actively promote the use of traditional place names in mailing addresses, allowing people to acknowledge and pay respect to the true custodians of the country. This initiative brings Indigenous languages and culture into people's everyday lives and helps celebrate the enduring strength and diversity of First Nations people.
To find traditional place names in Australia, individuals can refer to resources like the AUSTLANG database, which provides information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and place names. The Geoscience Australia 'Place Names Search' is another cooperative effort by state, territory, and Commonwealth governments to facilitate easy searches for traditional place names. Additionally, individuals can explore initiatives by Indigenous businesses and organisations, such as Magpie Goose and Haus of Dizzy, which utilise traditional place names in their operations.
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How to find a traditional place name
The names of many places in Australia originate from Australian Aboriginal languages. These names are often intrinsically connected to an Aboriginal group's understanding of its history, culture, rights, and responsibilities to the land.
There are several ways to find the traditional place name of an area in Australia. One way is to refer to the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia. This map was created by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), and it includes the traditional place names of many locations across the country.
Another way to find traditional place names is to refer to the Geoscience Australia 'Place Names Search'. This search engine is the result of a cooperative effort between state, territory, and Commonwealth governments and includes information on geographical features and places with their traditional names.
Additionally, some organisations and websites have started to include "Traditional Place Name" in their address fields or checkout pages to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land. For example, Australia Post and Biome US have implemented this change, allowing people to include traditional place names when addressing letters or parcels.
It is worth noting that, in some cases, the traditional place name may be different from the one currently in use due to historical misunderstandings or mispronunciations. For instance, the Yarra River in Melbourne was originally called "Naarm" in Woiwurrung Ngulu, meaning 'place'.
By learning and using traditional place names, we can honour and celebrate the rich history and culture of Australia's First Nations people.
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How to include traditional place names in addresses
Australia Post has endorsed the use of traditional First Nations place names in postal addresses. This initiative is part of a campaign led by Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail to recognise and support the use of traditional place names.
When addressing a parcel or letter, you can write the traditional place name after the recipient's name, but before the street address, suburb or town. For example:
[First name] [Last name] [Traditional place name] [Street number] [Street name] [Place] [State] [Postcode]
To find the traditional place name you're looking for, you can refer to the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia or the AUSTLANG database, which provides information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and place names. You can also refer to the Geoscience Australia 'Place Names Search', which is the result of the cooperative effort of state, territory, and Commonwealth governments.
Alternatively, you can speak to the Elders or lands council of a community for traditional place name information. It is important to note that any individual, group, or organisation can propose an Aboriginal name be restored and recognised as an official name, but it must be endorsed by the relevant Traditional Owner group(s) and have local government support.
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The importance of acknowledging traditional place names
Australia is home to a rich diversity of Indigenous languages, with around 80 Aboriginal languages still spoken across the country. However, many Australians are unaware of the non-colonial names for the land they live on. By learning and using traditional place names, we can acknowledge the enduring strength of First Nations people and pay respect to the true custodians of the country.
Traditional place names in Australia often originate from Aboriginal languages. Historically, European explorers and surveyors may have asked local Aboriginal people for the name of a place and named it accordingly. However, due to language barriers, many place names were misheard or misunderstood, such as the name of the Yarra River. Today, Australian governments have officially named many places, particularly suburbs, after Aboriginal people or language groups, recognising the importance of their cultural heritage.
To find traditional place names in Australia, individuals can refer to resources like the AUSTLANG database, supported by AIATSIS, which provides information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and place names. The Geoscience Australia 'Place Names Search' is another valuable tool, offering a cooperative effort between state, territory, and Commonwealth governments. Additionally, Australia Post has endorsed the inclusion of traditional place names in mailing addresses, encouraging Australians to source unknown Indigenous names at cultural centres or through AIATSIS.
By including traditional place names in mailing addresses, individuals can bring language and culture into people's everyday lives. It is a way to celebrate First Nations people and their rich history. For example, using "Meanjin" for Brisbane or "Naarm" for Melbourne recognises the traditional place names and pays respect to the local Indigenous communities. This act of recognition is commonly known as an "Acknowledgement of Country," demonstrating a commitment to reconciliation and honouring the land's history and the ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples.
In conclusion, acknowledging traditional place names in Australia is essential for several reasons. It promotes awareness of the country's Indigenous history, recognises the enduring strength of First Nations people, and demonstrates respect for the traditional custodians of the land. By incorporating traditional place names into our daily lives, we can celebrate the diversity of Indigenous cultures and work towards reconciliation and mutual understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
Using traditional place names is a way to honour and celebrate the First Peoples of Australia. It is a way to acknowledge that places are firstly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places.
You can refer to the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia or the AUSTLANG database, which provides information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and place names. You can also refer to the Geoscience Australia 'Place Names Search'.
Meanjin, the traditional place name for Brisbane, means "the spearhead in the Brisbane River".
You should write the traditional place name after the recipient's name, but before the street address, suburb or town. For example: [First name] [Last name] [Traditional place name] [Street number] [Street name] [Place] [State] [Postcode].
Any individual, group, or organisation can propose an Aboriginal name be restored and recognised as an official name. Such proposals must be endorsed by the relevant Traditional Owner group(s) and have local government support.
