Published on Tuesday, 26 November 2024 at 2:27:00 PM
Banks Reserve has a new name – Warndoolier – a nod to its Aboriginal heritage.
Following endorsement from Council and the Boordiya Reference Group in February, Vincent received approval from Landgate to rename the reserve this month.
The reserve is in Mt Lawley and sits along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River).
Historic maps from the 1900s to 1940s show the reserve's Noongar name was ‘Warndulier’.
It is known for its Aboriginal cultural significance as a ‘meeting place’ and a ‘camp’ and is officially recognised as a Place of Reconciliation.
The meaning of the name Warndoolier is as follows:
warn/wana = digging stick
dool = spirit or misty fog
doolya = big leaves
It is suggested that it was possibly a place related to women’s spirit. It could also be a place where the spirit mist dwells.
The Vincent Boordiya Reference Group endorsed the preferred spelling of Warndoolier as it was easier for phonetic pronunciation than the previous spelling Warndulier.
Landgate’s approval comes after Vincent consulted with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal Elders, the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and Aboriginal organisations for more than 10 years.
“We would like to thank Landgate, our Elders and community for playing significant roles in turning the renaming proposal into reality,” said Mayor Alison Xamon.
“It is an honour to be able to officially revive the Aboriginal name of Banks Reserve – Warndoolier.
“We are proud to acknowledge and preserve the history of the reserve as it has been for many millennia.
“This is a major step towards reviving traditional names of Aboriginal areas in Vincent.”
The Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation, as representatives of the Whadjuk people, the native title holders of the Perth metropolitan region, provided their support for the renaming in October.
“We are pleased to see Banks Reserve officially renamed to Warndoolier,” said Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation chair Rosemary Walley.
“The Elders on our Cultural Advice Committee gave their full support to revive the reserve’s Noongar name.
“This decision aligns with our corporation’s key priority to support the preservation and promotion of our language and culture.”
Boordiya Reference Group member and Elder Uncle Ben Taylor welcomed the decision and said he wanted to see more Noongar names of places being revived.
“There has got to be more Aboriginal history put around here,” he said.
Vincent will be updating signage at Warndoolier in the coming months.
A community event will be held in early 2025 to celebrate the new name, as well as the recently completed River Journeys Interpretation Node and Walter’s Brook footbridge. The colonial history of the site has also been remembered as part of the signage at the reserve.
Designed to honour the land and its history, the interpretation node is a peaceful new space that offers a spot for people to rest, learn and connect with the Derbarl Yerrigan.
It features a unique timber design with seating, artwork and panels that showcase history and Whadjuk Aboriginal cultural stories.
The footbridge over Walter’s Brook was built to make it easier to move between the playground, carpark and toilets. This was part of Vincent’s master plan for the reserve.
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