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City of Albany

Australia’s largest dual naming project revives Menang culture and connection

Every Australian has a connection to the land, and the names we assign to places hold deep meaning, reflecting history and shaping our shared identity.

Over recent years, Australia has seen an increase in the adoption of dual naming, where an Aboriginal name for a location or geographical feature sits alongside the English name. Importantly, dual naming illustrates the custodianship that Aboriginal Peoples have had over the Australian continent for tens of thousands of years and highlights areas of cultural significance.

One of the largest dual naming initiatives in Australia is thanks to the collaborative work of the City of Albany and the Menang Noongar community in WA’s Great Southern region to have 66 Menang place names endorsed.

How the project came about

The Restoring Menang Noongar Place Names project started in 2020 as an important step toward reconciliation. It involved the City of Albany working with the local Menang Noongar community to identify traditional place names within the area.

From July to December 2020, the City of Albany worked with local consultant, Kurrah Mia, to host six workshops and two immersive on-country field trips, bringing together key Menang Noongar families to share their insights on traditional place naming.

Out of the 66 proposed traditional place names, 13 were already recognised by WA’s land information authority Landgate, while one could not be accurately located, leaving 53 names eligible for initial approval.

 

Following further discussions and with support from the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 11 names for locations on private land were submitted to Landgate for consideration. This left only six place names outstanding, requiring additional consultation with landowners to move forward.

As a result of the project, some of the most significant dual-named places in the Menang area now include:

The City of Albany has continued to work alongside Menang Elders to bring these names to life through the creation of interpretive signs and story maps. QR codes placed at locations offer residents and visitors a chance to watch films featuring Elders sharing Menang language and stories, helping to enhance the revival and celebration of Menang Noongar culture, traditions, and language. Additionally, the City of Albany has installed Noongar artworks in seating areas and shade structures at particular locations to further convey traditional stories of the land.

 

Key outcomes

  • Greatly enhancing connections and strengthening relationships between the City of Albany and the local Menang community.
  • Reviving traditional Aboriginal language to ensure the whole community is better connected to the land and its history.
  • Fostering cultural awareness and improved recognition of local Menang Noongar culture throughout Menang.