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| Ben Boyd National Park |
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the decision followed requests from Aboriginal communities to rename the park due to Ben Boyd’s association with ‘blackbirding’, a practice that involved the coercion of people through deception or kidnapping to work as slaves or poorly paid labourers.
“It is time to acknowledge the real history of Ben Boyd and remove his name from the national park that continues to hold enormous cultural significance for Aboriginal people,” Mr Kean said.
“It is clear from the expert historical analysis, that Ben Boyd’s association with ‘blackbirding’ should not be reflected or celebrated in any way in our National Parks.
“There are many people from NSW’s early history who are worth remembering and celebrating, but it is clear from this historical analysis that Ben Boyd is not one of them.
“By re-naming the park, we not only celebrate ancient Aboriginal culture but also recognise its importance to Aboriginal people in recent history.”
Consultation with Elders, Aboriginal community representatives and Australian South Sea Islander representatives to identify a new name will commence soon.
On agreement, National Parks and Wildlife Service will present the proposed new name to the Geographic Names Board seeking approval and gazettal of the new name.
More information can be found here and here.
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
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