Woollahra Council reject push to use Aboriginal names in addresses of council venues

A proposal to introduce Aboriginal names in the addresses of council venues has been rejected by Woollahra Council, with one councillor saying it would distract from other Indigenous projects.

Woollahra Council has rejected a push to include Aboriginal names in the addresses in of council venues, amid arguments the council was already “a leader” in First Nations reconciliation projects.

The motion, tabled by Greens councillors Nicola Grieve and Matthew Robertson, was voted down eight councillors to six following a passionate debate at a meeting on Monday night.

The proposal was for council staff, in consultation with La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and other interested First Nations people, to prepare a report on the use of Aboriginal names in the addresses of council venues, including administrative buildings, galleries and libraries.

Residents First councillor Mark Silcocks, who did not support the motion, said such a project would only add to a massive backlog of council actions and distract from major projects such as a draft Reconciliation Action Plan set to be presented to council in coming weeks.

“I just have a significant problem with resources and priorities,” Mr Silcocks said. “We already know that we’re under-resourced.”

Woollahra council chambers. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Liberal councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis, who also opposed the plan, highlighted how Woollahra Council was a leader in recognising local Aboriginal culture and history.

“We are ahead of the game in terms of all other councils in recognition of Indigenous history,” Ms Jarvis said.

“It’s certainly not my intention to say by voting against this motion, that I am not supportive of us moving forward.”

Mr Robertson told the meeting that investing in smaller measures – along with major projects like the Reconciliation Action Plan – was crucial for the council to continue its leadership on Aboriginal issues.

“Those who say that you support the intent, but you don’t support putting the money behind it? Well, unless you actually put money behind something you don’t actually have any intention of realising it,” he said.

“I just feel that to say that we as a council are “ahead of the game” and therefore off the hook for taking further action in this area [is misguided].”

The Greens motion was inspired by a growing movement for Aboriginal place names to be incorporated into public spaces, including recent decisions by Australia Post and Orange City Council.

Rachael McPhail, a proud Gomeroi woman whose campaign prompted Australia Post to introduce place names, said it was “really disappointing” Woollahra council voted down the motion.

“I hope those more urgent priorities include working on social justice issues like housing for First Nations people,” McPhail told the Wentworth Courier.

Integrating Aboriginal place names into daily life brings all Australians to a deeper bond with the land we live on, she explained.

“For the Australian public I think that it’s really important because it’s a step towards reconciliation, but also an everyday easy way that Australians can acknowledge and celebrate the language of that place and the true name of that particular area as well.”

McPhail said the movement can have a “snowball effect” as it is adopted by more municipalities and organisations.

“It’s the thing that will help people to start having a think about [the fact that] Aboriginal culture is contemporary; it’s not a traditional thing [that’s] in the past. We have a current connection to the land that we are on.”