Lake Monger Reserve to Adopt Traditional Name Galup

Published on 28 August 2024

Following widespread community support, the Town of Cambridge Council has endorsed the renaming Lake Monger Reserve to Galup, meaning 'place of fire'.

The decision was made at the 27 August 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting, where the Council unanimously accepted the administration’s recommendation to adopt the amended Galup (Lake Monger) Management Plan 2024-2034 and the Galup (Lake Monger) Masterplan 2024-2034.

The renaming process will span a five-year transition period, during which the site will be officially referred to as Galup (Lake Monger) before fully adopting the name Galup in 2029. The next step requires an application to Landgate to formally request the name change. The reserve is a significant Aboriginal heritage site, and this change reflects the Town's commitment to reconciliation.

Mayor Gary Mack said consultation on the draft Management Plan, Masterplan, and the potential name change was thorough, involving multiple stakeholders and resulting in 1,128 survey responses.

“The community showed strong support for all proposed actions, including the name change. This marks a significant step in our reconciliation journey,” he said.

The draft Plan and Masterplan were developed in consultation with Traditional Owners and registered Knowledge Holders. An anthropologist facilitated meetings to ensure their cultural and historical perspectives were included in these documents.

Key considerations raised during these consultations included reverting to the site’s original name, recognising its importance as a meeting place and campground for the Whadjuk Noongar people, and acknowledging the 1830 massacre. These aspects have been integrated into the final versions of the Plan and Masterplan.

The community consultation, conducted from 21 June to 15 July 2024, received 1,128 survey responses. The survey was accessible through various channels, including digital platforms, local newspapers, and on-site signage at Galup (Lake Monger).

The strong support for the proposed actions, particularly the name change, reflects the community's commitment to recognising Galup’s cultural significance.