Knowing Naarm: introducing the Traditional Place name of Melbourne

As a Senior Wurundjeri (wuh·ruhn·juh·ree) Elder of the Kulin (cool-in) Nation, Aunty Joy Murphy is thrilled that Melbourne’s Traditional Place name—Naarm (nar-m)—can now be used when addressing letters and parcels through Australia Post.

The significance of the Traditional Place name, Naarm

“In the Woiwurrung (woi-a-rung) language of the Kulin nation, Naarm means ‘place’,” explains Aunty Joy Murphy. It signifies that the area was an important meeting place for the language groups of the Kulin nation, a collective of five Aboriginal clans: Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung (boon-wuh-rung), Wathaurrung (wo-thuh-rong), Taungurung (tan-a-rong) and Dja DjaWrung (jah-jah-rong).

The Kulin nation has inhabited the area for around 40,000 years, and prior to colonisation, was a nation of more than 20,000 people.

Aunty Joy was born in Healesville and her family has always called Wurundjeri land their home. In fact, she proudly carries the legacy of her great-great uncle, William Barak, who served as the last traditional Ngurungaeta (na-run-getta) or head man of the Wurundjeri-Willam clan.

An officer of the Order of Australia and honorary professor at Swinburne University, Aunty Joy is often called on to give the traditional Welcome to Country at many events and to many distinguished visitors. For her, having Traditional Place names acknowledged on Australia Post letters and packages is special.

“It means so much to our community, for who we are, and where we come from,” says Aunty Joy. “I applaud Australia Post. It makes me feel so proud, so happy. And with their distribution everyone will know about our Traditional Place names around the world.”

“Being able to see Traditional Place names and learn them gives us our right of identity here in Naarm—we want people from wherever they come from to understand that we have a belonging.”
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