A section of the Blue Mountains could officially be known by its indigenous name soon as more regions in Australia increasingly recognise and embrace their indigenous titles. The NSW Geographical Names Board is currently in the process of deciding whether or not to change the name of a specific part of the Blue Mountains, and not the entire region, to Gulu-Mada.
The board will consider whether the name change proposal should be put forward to the community for feedback which will be the next step if the naming process was to move forward. If the formal name change goes ahead, the region would receive the dual name of Gulu-Mada, alongside its English title.
Blue Mountains’ Indigenous Name Change
Located just 1.5 hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are home to some of the state’s most stunning natural landscapes, picturesque towns and villages and outdoor adventures. The iconic part of NSW has been home to Aboriginal communities and the traditional land of the Gundungurra and Darug people for thousands of years.
The Blue Mountains were originally named Carmarthen Hills and Landsdowne Hills in 1788 by Governor Phillip Local but were soon renamed to The Blue Mountains thanks to the unique blue haze that blankets the region. Aboriginal people used the name Colomatta for the area in 1892 according to the Dictionary of Sydney.
The NSW Geographical Names Board website says that it is “committed to the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages and acknowledging Aboriginal culture through place naming in NSW.”
However, it is understood that the process of allowing public commentary on the proposal and subsequent discussions could take weeks to materialise as reported by news.com.au.
“Dual naming is a powerful way of healing country, protecting our culture, and connecting community. It also plays an important role in truth-telling as we walk the path of reconciliation together,” NSW Aboriginal Land Council Chair Danny Chapman told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Uluru/Ayers Rock, in the Northern Territory and Fraser Island/K’Gari are among sites around the country to have dual names reflecting the regions’ Indigenous history and culture. Among the other name change proposals in the state is Byron Bay’s Lighthouse Headland Cape Byron which could soon be known as Walgun and Julian Rocks which would be Nguthungulli.