Longreach Regional Council has recently signed off an application to rename one of its creeks because of its racist name.
The change is set to rename current “Black Gin Creek” to “Watyakan Creek” meaning “Women’s creek,” paying tribute to those who historically camped near it.
Indigenous language consultant, Des Crump, who was involved in changing the title, said that the current name was derogatory towards aboriginal women and he hopes that other councils would follow suit and change racist place names as well.
Darumbal elder, Aunty Sally, said that there are still dozens of racist place names across the state that needed changing, including "at least" 26 “Black Gin Creeks” and “Black Fella Creeks.”
Western Queensland is also home to "Chinaman Creek" near Longreach, and "Skull Hole" in Blandensberg National Park.
Longreach Mayor, Tony Rayner, said he is “very pleased” with the impending name change but says he does not anticipate any other title changes in the district.
Elder, Aunty Sally, and her supporters have been successful in changing several place names in central Queensland and continue with the challenges of changing more.