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Noongar place names and Perth

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Before the Europeans came to Perth, the Whadjak Noongar had lived here sustainably for thousands of years. They had a physical, cultural and spiritual connection to the places developed over time so that the names they gave them were related to what they could find there, what they did there or some other cultural or spiritual significance.  When the Europeans came there was some acceptance of naming places according to the Whadjuk Noongar but in most cases they named them after people or other places back home, usually in England. That is to say, the name had no direct relationship to the place.  Lake Monger - This was called Galup meaning place of the home fire by the Whadjuk. So I gather there is where they had their camps. That makes sense. Now it was named Lake Monger by the Europeans but I don't know why and frankly my life would not be enriched knowing why.     Herdsman Lake - This was called Ngoorgenboro and the closest meaning I have found to date is 't...
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Boodjar

 Boodjar is a Noongar word meaning place, land, earth. Perth is located in Whadjak Noongar country and this is where I was born and spent most of my life. I grew up near the Swan River and have had the natural area around the river as my playground as a child and as an adult and have a deep attachment to the natural spaces of this place, which are increasingly disappearing under a coating of concrete and steel. As a land use planner concerned about the future liveability of the area where I grew up I often think about how things could be rather than what they are. This involves looking back to what country was like and how it was used and managed by the Noongar.  This blog is a collection of my thoughts, often derived while walking or running, around planning for the place now known as Perth and the broader region.  
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