City of Albany, WA
Restoring Menang Noongar Place Names
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The Project
The City of Albany’s ‘Restoring Menang Noongar Place Names’ project saw the City partner with the local Menang Noongar community to identify Traditional places names within the City’s boundaries to progress dual naming for places of significance. The recognition and promotion of Menang Noongar place names had previously been identified as a priority of the local Menang community as an important reconciliation outcome.
Following extensive consultation with local Menang Noongar Elders and the broader Albany community, 66 place names were identified. Twenty eight of the place names were either on City of Albany managed land or had the support of the landowner to progress. 16 landmarks and 12 reserves, geographic features, waterways and vegetation were submitted to Landgate for assessment. In September 2021, Landgate advised that all 28 places of significance had been approved for dual naming.
The dual naming locations include some of the City’s most significant places including:
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Binalup / Middleton Beach
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Tjuitgellong / Lake Seppings
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Yakkan Toort / Dog Rock
The City continues to work closely with Menang Elders to activate these names through the development of interpretive signage, supported by story maps at key landmarks. QR codes at each site will provide a valuable opportunity for residents and visitors to view films of Elders sharing Menang language and stories and further support the revival and promotion of Menang Noongar culture, traditions and language. The City is also planning a series of Noongar artworks in seats and shade shelters that tell Traditional stories of place.
The City recently showcased 12 dual named locations and Noongar seasons, together with interpretive artworks by Menang artists, in the City’s annual community calendar – distributed to 18000 households and businesses - further promoting the centrality of Menang culture and history to our City. Traditional names are also being progressively implemented across City publications and events.
The project has significantly strengthened relationships between the City and the local Menang community. The project has been an important milestone in the journey to improve relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents, rekindle cultural awareness, revive language and embed the recognition and promotion of local Menang Noongar culture across the City