Many of us think of fish, rivers, huts, ochre, ceremonial dances and storytelling when we learn about the First Nations culture of Australia. The Dharug people were also astronomers as well as good hunters and warriors. They were connected to the skies and the lands.

First Nations people used their knowledge of the night sky to forecast the weather, and to determine seasonal changes to resources. Torres Strait Islanders use the scintillation of stars (twinkling) to determine when the northwest monsoon is arriving, and Aboriginal people used the ice rings around the moon to forecast when wet weather was arriving.

The arrival of the Seven Sisters in the evening sky brought the return of warm weather and resources, while their setting in the evening sky brought the winter.

It also appears that Aboriginal people built solar observatories, so that they could mark the time of the year by the solstices. The list of sky related names, Birrung, Duba, Mula Mula and Warrawal, are intended to strike up conversation of the meanings and to ignite curiosity into this less travelled road of research into the local First Nations community …. “Dharug astronomy".

Contributed by Aunty Denise Newham

The NSW Geographical Names Board encourages place names that reflect the heritage, cultures and identity of a site which makes the place distinctive and memorable for residents and the wider community. As per the NSW Geographical Names Board process, research has been undertaken by Council's heritage team to identify significant stories and histories of the area.

• William Ashby and Richard Harper were original grant holders plying their trade of Carnifex or Fleshewer - Old English names for Butcher.
• Mr James Cunneen (d. 11.05.52 age 87) and Mrs Harriet Cunneen (d 01.04.1932) and children lived at No. 3 Gladstone Street. Four of their daughters continued to live at No. 3, No. 7, No 9 and No. 13 Gladstone Street. They were Jessie May Dowling (nee Cunneen); Elsie Catherine "Dee Dee" Creed (nee Cunneen) who was wife to World War One veteran Alfred Victor Creed; Ruby Olive Kelly (nee Cunneen); and Eileen Gladys Jackson (nee Cunneen).
• Pound Lane is in reference to the public Parramatta pound that was located off Pennant Hills Road.
• Stamp Lane is a reference to the handmade brick(s) attributed to John Clews’ bricks being produced in Parramatta.

Council's process is to propose and prepare names in accordance with Council's Road Naming Policy (no. 283) and the NSW Address Policy and User Manual (May 2021) developed by NSW Geographical Names Board (GNB).

The NSW Geographical Names Board policy ensures that road, street, lane and open space names are broadly acceptable to the community and meet current norms and standards.

The NSW Geographical Names Board encourages place names that reflect the heritage, cultures and identity of a site which makes the place distinctive and memorable for residents and the wider community. As per the NSW Geographical Names Board process, research has been undertaken to identify significant stories and histories of the area and to the culture and stories of Parramatta's traditional owners, the Dharug (or Darug).

Please view the main section of this page for a better understanding of the context behind the names that have been proposed.

As per the NSW Geographical Names Board's NSW Address Policy and User Manual (May 2021), Council has undertaken preliminary consultation.

The proposed names have been given preliminary suitability by the NSW Geographical Names Board, with Council now undertaking broader community consultation to seek feedback.

The NSW Geographical Names Board has a number of criteria and rules in place, which make it difficult for some name submissions to be effective. For example, name suggestions must be as site specific and contextually accurate as possible, not have duplicates within a 10km radius, not reference a living person and must also meet emergency services, postal and navigation requirements.

For more information visit https://www.gnb.nsw.gov.au

The Geographical Names Board of NSW ‘NSW Address Policy and User Manual’ (May 2021) outlines the guidelines for naming roads. The guidelines can be accessed at www.gnb.nsw.gov.au. In summary, proposed names should be:

• Road names shall not be offensive, racist, derogatory or demeaning (refer to NSW Anti-Discrimination legislation).
• Road names shall not be misspelt. In particular, the spelling of personal names shall be able to be validated by reference to primary sources.
• Commercial and business names shall not be used, particularly where the name can be construed to be promoting the business. However, business names no longer in use and which promote the heritage of an area are acceptable.
• Road types shall not be used in the formation of a road name, for example Promenade Road, Court Street etc. even if the road type is also a surname.
• Only one name shall be used for commemorative naming e.g. a given name or surname.

The NSW Geographical Names Board Place Naming Policy states:

Commemorative names are those that commemorate a person, event or place. Acts of bravery, community service and exceptional accomplishments are typical grounds for this recognition. The name of persons who gave their lives in service for their country are often used as commemorative names. The person commemorated should have contributed significantly to the area around the geographic feature or locality. When such a name is applied, it shall be given posthumously, at least one year after the decease of the person.

Names of living persons are by their nature subject to partisan perception and changes in community judgement and acceptance. Commemorative names shall not be used to commemorate victims of, or mark the location of, accidents or tragedies.

Ownership of land is not in itself grounds for the application of an owner’s name. Names of persons holding public office shall not be used.

Personal names, including those of persons still living, may be used for built features e.g. pavilions and grandstands etc., however these features are not formally assigned by the GNB and are not covered by the Act.

Council will review the community feedback and confirm the final selection before submitting to the NSW Geographical Names Board for consideration and endorsement.

The names selected will first need to be endorsed by Council before being sent to the GNB for approval and gazettal. After a name has been gazetted, it will be placed on relevant signs and be made available on official maps.