The proposed name change is built upon mutually respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and is one of a number of significant measures being undertaken by the University as part of its 10-year Indigenous Strategy launched in 2017. Under this Strategy, Macquarie has employed more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in teaching and research positions and welcomed more First Nations students.

The proposal for a campus name change came from the Namesake Working Group formed at the Vice-Chancellor’s request and chaired by Pro Vice-Chancellor for Indigenous Strategy, Dr Leanne Holt. Membership of the Working Group was drawn from interested Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal academic and professional staff across the University and representatives of the local Dharug community.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to make a unique and lasting contribution to the identity of this land. Adopting Wallumattagal as a campus place name, acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Macquarie University lands, connecting its ancient history through to the beautiful contemporary campus,” says Dr Holt, a Worimi/Biripi woman.

“All around Australia the names of geographical locations/features, buildings, roads, waterways and other entities serve as reminders of the past,” said Dr Holt.

“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, this can highlight the impacts of colonisation. In many instances these names reference acts of violence, displacement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and offensive racial terms.”

“Re-naming the campus provides us with the opportunity to tell a true history,” Dr Holt said.

Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, said this is an opportunity to change the narrative, recognising historical and contemporary impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Macquarie University acknowledges and honours the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia as the nation’s first people and recognises that, as the traditional custodians and occupants of the land, they have a spiritual, social, cultural and economic relationship with their traditional lands and waters,” says Professor Dowton.

Dr Holt describes adopting the Wallumattagal name as a pinnacle time in Macquarie University’s evolution, recognising our First People’s contribution as custodians who have sustained our local environments, education and culture for thousands of years.

“As an educational institution we have the opportunity to embrace the world’s oldest living culture,” she says.

The Vice-Chancellor says University Council and the University’s Executive Group have supported the proposal for consultation with stakeholders and the University community.

“A greater integration between place-naming and Indigenous culture and languages can help us all to better connect to the beautiful land on which our University is situated. I look forward to your feedback.”

Contribute to the conversation via walangamuruadmin@mq.edu.au before 31 March 2022.