Dual Indigenous place names have been added to two iconic sites in Byron Bay following calls from the community to acknowledge their cultural significance.
The NSW Geographical Names Board approved a submission to officially dual-name Cape Byron as Walgun and Julian Rocks as Nguthungulli.
Walgun, meaning “shoulder” in Bundjalung language, holds significance to the Arakwal and other Bundjalung people as an important ceremonial and gathering site.
Nguthungulli, said to be “the Father of the World”, is an important sacred Aboriginal site associated with several dreaming stories of the Arakwal and other Bundjalung people.
The board and Byron Shire Council will also formally name a reserve in the suburb of Bangalow as Piccabeen Park.
Piccabeen is Bundjalung word used to describe the Bangalow Palms found in the area, including the baskets made from its palm frond.
The NSW government has supported a dual naming policy for cultural sites since 2001.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said the government remained committed to the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages and acknowledging Aboriginal culture through place naming.
“Place naming gives communities the opportunity to unlock past stories, preserve traditions, reawaken language and provide a sense of belonging and identity,” Dib said.
“All Australians share a relationship to the land and the names we give to places convey their significance, sense of history and identity.
“Dual-naming acknowledges the significance of Aboriginal culture and represents a meaningful step towards the process of unity in NSW.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said acknowledging the history and connection through names brought Story and Language to life for all Australians.
“The Arakwal and other Bundjalung people have had unbroken connections to these places through Story, kinship and Language since the first sunrise,” he said.
