Since its establishment in 1966, as the authority in NSW for naming mountains and rivers along with
suburbs, railway stations and other geographic features, the GNB has officially recorded over
65,000 place names.
Since June 2001, the NSW Government has supported a dual naming policy for geographical
features and cultural sites. Currently the GNB has assigned 45 dual names, including significant
landmarks such as Dawes Point / Tar-ra, Macquarie River / Wambuul, Cockatoo Island / Wareamah,
and Mount Panorama / Wahluu.
Central to the 400th milestone event is a special focus on the reawakening of Aboriginal languages
through place naming, which is a recognised way of preserving First Nations languages. |
Additionally, it aligns with the United Nations' declaration of the International Decade of Indigenous
Languages which bring attention to the urgent need to encourage preservation, revitalisation and
promotion of language that is critically endangered.
A display of surveyors' and explorers' notes was featured at the NSW State Library, providing a rare
glimpse into historical records that document the early capture of place names across the State.
The event also celebrated the service of Dr. Peter Orlovich, who has been an integral part of the
GNB since its establishment. Dr. Orlovich has made a substantial and significant contribution to the
GNB, as both a sitting member and advisor for more than 50 years, contributing to the identification
and research of historic place names across NSW.
Dr Orlovich played a key role in the Anzac Memorial Place Names Project, assisting the GNB to
identify 1701 hometowns of enlistees for the First World War. Soil samples were collected from each
of these sites for display in the ANZAC Memorial Hall of Service artwork.
The 400th meeting took place on Tuesday 5 March, and the post-meeting event featured notable
guests including the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib, NSW
Surveyor-General Narelle Underwood, as well as representatives from Department of Planning,
Housing and Infrastructure, Department of Customer Service, Geographical Society of NSW, State
Library, Multicultural NSW, Local Government NSW, and Royal Australian Historical Society.
“For its entire history, the NSW Geographical Names Board has been instrumental in ensuring our
deep connections to places are acknowledged and maintained.”
“Through respectful and community-driven place naming the Board has been able to ensure that the
names of the places we live, work, and play are meaningful and reflect contemporary Australia; our
diversity, history, identity and values.”
“Our ongoing work to formally recognise Aboriginal Place names across NSW and promote
Aboriginal languages in place naming is testament to the commitment the Board has to active
Reconciliation in NSW and Australia more broadly.”
Quotes to be attributed to Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib
“The 400th meeting of the Geographical Names Board is an opportunity for us to honour the past,
celebrate the present, and look forward to the continued commitment of the Geographical Names
Board in shaping the cultural and linguistic landscape of New South Wales.”
“This milestone not only reflects the Board's commitment to the naming of places, but also
highlights its dedication to the reawakening of Aboriginal languages within the geographical
landscape of NSW.”
