A map of Australia shows you place names with different origins -- some are first nations words, others are European hand me downs.
Some Aboriginal names are so iconic like Noosa or Wollongong that we don't even think about them.
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But often these First Nations names encapsulate a rich history in just one word -- a story, a spirit. But over two centuries of displacement many have been lost or erased, along with the languages and the people who originally spoke them. You can read about this country's brutal history through its place names.
But some names are coming back -- Uluru was only called Ayers Rock for a brief moment in its history, we now know it by its true, Pitjantjatjara name.
Our colonial place names are given to honour people who might not have really done the honourable thing by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Butchulla woman Rose Barrowcliffe
On this episode of the Voice of Real Australia podcast we meet people campaigning for Australia's old names to be brought back, particularly when the story their new name tells is one of hate and violence.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform. Just search Voice of Real Australia.
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Do you have a story to share? Get in touch: voice@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Laura Carolina Corrigan
Laura produces ACM's multi-award winning podcast Voice of Real Australia, and the mini-series Forgotten River. For stories from beyond the big cities, find them on your podcast app. Follow Laura on Twitter: @LaOOraC
Laura produces ACM's multi-award winning podcast Voice of Real Australia, and the mini-series Forgotten River. For stories from beyond the big cities, find them on your podcast app. Follow Laura on Twitter: @LaOOraC
Tom Melville
Originally from Canberra, Tom Melville worked for the BBC in the UK and as a freelancer in Tunisia before coming to ACM. He is the host of ACM's national podcast Voice of Real Australia. urlgeni.us/VORAPod
Originally from Canberra, Tom Melville worked for the BBC in the UK and as a freelancer in Tunisia before coming to ACM. He is the host of ACM's national podcast Voice of Real Australia. urlgeni.us/VORAPod
