Not all White in Blacktown

[Gob]

CHANGING Blacktown CBD’s name to West Sydney would be a racist insult to the indigenous community, Aboriginal elder Uncle Gordon Workman says.



The Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation chairman said no fellow indigenous residents backed the Liberals’ proposal to change the name of the CBD and the local government area to West Sydney.

The Doonside resident said Blacktown was a proud reference to the indigenous community being the land’s original owners.

“We’re Darug and we’re the first persons here,’’ he said.


“The first name was Blacks Town. Leave the name alone – there’s no stigma to it.

“We’re proud of the name Blacktown. We think it’s racist to change the name Blacktown.”

This month, Blacktown’s Liberal councillor Karlo Siljeg steered a plan to change the CBD and council name as part of its rebranding project. The issue will be discussed at its meeting next Wednesday.

The council is due to decide if the proposal will proceed to the public consultation period and a referendum.

Liberal councillor Isabelle White said Blacktown was a derogatory term that referred to blacks and whites being segregated at the Native Institute in Plumpton in the 1820s.

But Mr Workman questioned why the Aboriginal community had not been consulted about adopting another name.

“Why is it only the white councillors pushing for these changes?’’

Cr Siljeg said Mr Workman was entitled to an opinion and the Aboriginal community would be consulted if the council agreed to take the next step and consult the community.

Mr Workman said if the council agreed to hold a public vote, the money would be better spent elsewhere.

“Keep the parks open, improve the pools and more signage so everyone knows they are travelling through Darug country,’’ he said.

Federal Greenway Labor MP and former Blacktown councillor Michelle Rowland echoed his comments.

“The Liberals on Blacktown Council are lions when it comes to changing the city’s name, but lambs when it comes to sticking up for ratepayers,’’ she said.

“So rather than this perennial and ridiculous notion about changing the name of our city, it would be refreshing if the Liberals on Blacktown Council were instead focused on providing some semblance of service to the priorities of their ratepayers.”

Where were they when their Federal counterparts cut $6.7 million in Federal Assistance Grants to Blacktown Council?

I call on the 330,000 residents of Blacktown: contact your Liberal Ward Councillors and tell them it’s not on.

The Liberals’ plans could face another major setback – the Geographical Names Board does not permit prefixes such as north, south, east as part of requests to change names.

“The board’s stance is that the changing of long established placenames is generally not preferred, except where necessary to avoid ambiguity or duplication,’’ a spokeswoman said.

Cr Siljeg said the council would not lodge changes with the board because it was a marketing project and not a name alteration. In 2008, it cost The Hills $42,452 to change its name from Baulkham Hills.

[MajGenl.Meade]

So this has boomeranged on the liberals?

[oldr_n_wsr]

“Why is it only the white councillors pushing for these changes?’’

Because they know what's best for you.
And you should be more thankful that they are looking out for your sensitivities.