Coon name change: Regional NSW towns defend names amid cheese backlash

A NSW island named Coon is launching a review into its name after the cheese giant of the same name rebranded amid criticism the name is racist.

First the cheese, now Coon Island is under threat.

Lake Macquarie Council is considering changing the name of the tiny island in the Swansea Channel north of Sydney after the 85-year-old cheese rebranded from Coon to Cheer following complaints over the word’s historic racist connotations.

The council said it was launching a review into the name amid “heightened awareness with the Black Lives Matter protests.”

It was “interested in working with relevant stakeholders further to explore the naming of the island, as part of works being proposed for the site in 2021/2022.”

Coon cheese, named after its American creator, Edward William Coon, has announced it is changing its name.

The island is named after its first inhabitant, Herbert Greta Heaney, who had the nickname Coon and lived on the island in 1915. Council said the name change was not related to Coon cheese’s decision.

The owner of Coon cheese, Canadian company Saputo, announced the rebrand on Tuesday to reflect the business’s “commitment to build a culture of acceptance, inclusion and respect where everyone feels a sense of belonging”.

While Lake Macquarie Council could follow its lead, the central NSW town of Coonabarabran, known by locals as ‘Coona’, is adamant its name will stay.

Mayor Ambrose Doolan hit out at Saputo’s decision as a “storm in a teacup” and an over-reaction, declaring “we won’t change the name of our town.” Mr Doolan said the decision to cave into public pressure was “too far.”

The central NSW town of Coonabarabran, known by locals as Coona, is adamant its name will stay., says mayor Ambrose Doolan.

The cheese brand was named after American cheese pioneer Edward William Coon who died in 1934. Daily Telraph readers are overwhelmingly against the new cheese name, with an online poll showing 67 per cent don’t like it and 11 per cent saying they are in favour.

Mr Doolan said the important history of the company was being erased because of cancel culture crusaders.

“When you know the name derives from the man who invented the brand of cheese, you shouldn’t take offence out of it,” he said. “It’s another move by cancel culture … an over-reaction. It’s all really silly.”

Mayor Ambrose Doolan says the name Coonabarrabran comes from an Indigenous term.

He stood by the town’s name, saying he has never received complaints about it and would never change it because of its Indigenous significance.

The word Coonabarabran originates from the Indigenous word for “inquisitive person.”

“People shouldn’t be looking for offence when there’s none intended,” he said.

Owner of Coonie Pastoral Company and Farmstay in Dalgety, NSW, Nicole O’Connor, labelled the name change “political correctness gone mad” and said she was proud of the history of her business name.

Originally published as Coon name change: Regional NSW towns defend names amid cheese backlash