THE co-naming of Mount Panorama does not mean a name change, race fans have been assured.
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It would not lead to any changes to motor racing in Bathurst, nor would result in any alterations to the sign on the side of the mountain.
In fact, Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council CEO Toni-Lee Scott yesterday said co-naming the mountain Wahluu would not result in any change at all really, as people were most likely to continue calling it Mount Panorama.
The Western Advocate revealed plans to co-name the Mount last week, prompting a furious reaction from motor racing fans.
Many took to social media to slam the plan, while others hailed the plan as an appropriate way to honour the region’s original inhabitants.
Mount Panorama has always been known to the local Wiradjuri people as Wahluu, which means “sacred place”.
The Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council made the submission to the state government to co-name Mount Panorama with the support of Bathurst Regional Council.
Ms Scott said the move had been in the pipeline for a number of years but the council only made its submission in the last three months as Bathurst’s bicentenary approaches.
“The bicentenary is an historical event focusing on the crossing of the Blue Mountains. It doesn’t focus much on Aboriginal history,” Ms Scott said.
“Co-naming Mount Panorama is a great opportunity to start the process of reconciliation, and coming together as one community as we step towards our future.
“Nothing is going to change. People will likely still see it as Mount Panorama, and that’s fair enough. We are not out to change it, we just would like to see it jointly named.
“I don’t think people have fully understood the situation.
“It is not our intention to rename the circuit or replace the Mount Panorama sign – they are landmarks worldwide.
“If you want to use Wahluu, use it; if you don’t want to, don’t.”
Ms Scott added that Sir Joseph Banks Nature Reserve, for example, was co-named Wahluu Gammarra, which means “sacred awakening” in the Wiradjuri language.
“It’s the same thing. It also has two names,” she said. “I still refer to it as Sir Joseph Banks because that is what I have always known it as.
“A lot of people call the Macquarie River ‘Wambuul’. It doesn’t mean everyone has to.
“We include Aboriginal names so our language doesn’t die.
“Our language and history is very important – it’s a part of our identity.
“If it is not recognised it won’t be long until it is just gone. Co-naming things keeps our language alive.”
Mayor Gary Rush said the whole story of the creation of the racing circuit and the naming of Mount Panorama was a wonderful one.
“But that space has more story attached it, and that name means something to the Wiradjuri people,” he said yesterday.
“This is a great opportunity for that story of Aboriginal culture to be told, and I think it is a great opportunity for us to pay respect to the Aboriginal culture we have here in Bathurst.”
Cr Rush said the co-naming arrangement not only has the support of council, but V8 Supercars.
“We don’t see it as damaging in any way, shape or form to the many people who, through motor sport, have come to appreciate the circuit and the mountain. In fact, we think it will enhance the whole promotion of the circuit,” he said.
He added that there is nothing before council that would suggest any intention to change the Mount Panorama sign.