The names were selected by members of the Ngunawal people from their traditional language and were approved by the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.

Ngunawal representatives performed a traditional welcome to country and cleansing ceremony with didgeridoo accompaniment.

Googong chairman James Service said the development team regularly consulted with 10 different Aboriginal groups on various issues including the new names.

“It is an essential part of our program to identify, preserve and protect the area’s history and cultural heritage,” Mr Service said.

“The Ngunawal people are the traditional custodians of Googong and we are grateful to them for sharing their heritage.

“Aboriginal place names have only been assigned to key locations where the names make a meaningful connection with Aboriginal habitation and use of the Googong land.”

The four locations that received new Aboriginal names were Googong Common, Hill 800, ‘The Gumnuts’ park and Montgomery Rise park.

Googong Common is now Bunburung Thina meaning small lizard track.

Hill 800 has been renamed Nangi Pimble which means see the district or look at the district.

The Gumnuts park has become Yerradhang Nguru or gum tree camp or gum tree place and the park at Montgomery Rise is now Munnagai Woggabaliri, which means come and play.

Queanbeyan-Palerang mayor Tim Overall attended the ceremony, which required all participants to be barefoot. 

He said it was wonderful to have some greater diversity among landmark names such as Hill 800 which sounded almost militaristic and he welcomed the change to Nangi Pimble.

“To celebrate the heritage of the Googong area is a milestone,” Cr Overall said.

“It’s a really important acknowledgement of the Aboriginal connection with this land and it was a privilege to be part of the ceremony.

“It’s wonderful to work with the local Aboriginal community through our Aboriginal Liaison Committee.”