A beach and nearby creek in the Northern Territory are to be given Traditional place names, after local Elders requested the change.
Vesteys Beach in Darwin will take the name Bundilla Beach, with a creek in the area similarly to be renamed Bundilla Creek.
Larrakia Elder Barbara Mills-Raymond and her son Kootji Raymond asked that the names better reflect their Indigenous heritage and history, and the change has been approved by the Place Names Committee.
Bundilla is understood to mean ‘young girl’ and has significance in the Larrakia language and culture.
It is part of an effort by the Territory Government to 'recognise and elevate' Aboriginal identity, language and history, as well as honouring Traditional Owners.
“The Territory and its people are unique, with a rich and lasting culture that is thousands of years old, with many stories to tell and I thank the Raymond Family for bringing this name to the Place Names Committee," said Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler.
“Our Government will continue listening to the community and working towards acknowledging our Aboriginal heritage through place-naming practices.”
Consultation with Larrakia Nation, Larrakia Development Corporation and City of Darwin yielded strong support for the renaming. The local community has also been notified, with businesses around the area also spoken too, with there being no impact or added cost to business owners.
Being City of Darwin land, the signage for Bundilla Beach will have the name Vesteys Beach in brackets below the new name.
Signage in the area will be replaced to indicate the new name, in addition to interpretive signage to explain the cultural significance of the new name.
