DjilangPort naming extended to recognise First Nations

GeelongPort has again temporarily taken on a new name in recognition of First Nations people.

Djilang is the traditional Wadawurrung name for Geelong and, for the past three years, GeelongPort has renamed to DjilangPort for the duration of NAIDOC Week.

This year, the port has chosen to extend the renaming for an entire month, spanning both National Reconciliation Week (which began yesterday and runs until Wednesday 3 June) and NAIDOC Week (5–12 July), in celebration of this year’s milestone theme “50 Years of Deadly”.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In”, is a call for shared commitment, recognising real progress happens when everyone plays a part.

In a similar spirit, the NAIDOC Week theme honours the people who have shaped the movement, acknowledging the strength and resilience that has brought it to this point while looking ahead to the future.

Since 2021, DjilangPort has worked closely with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC), with the partnership formalised through a memorandum of understanding in 2024.

DjilangPort chief executive, Brett Winter, said the extended renaming reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation.

“Renaming to DjilangPort for the month between National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week is a small but important way we honour and acknowledge our Traditional Owners and the beautiful Wadawurrung Country on which we operate,” he said.

“DjilangPort is proud to be on a meaningful reconciliation journey and we are committed to turning our intentions into action, through our partnerships, our Reconciliation Action Plan and everyday decisions.”

WTOAC co-chief executive Sarah Eccles said seeing Djilang recognised in this way is a meaningful acknowledgement of Wadawurrung Country and the community’s continued connection to place.

“It’s important that our language, returns to Country, we are on a journey or reaffirming and strengthening our ancestral language, bringing it back to where it belongs in the places where we live and work and connect to,” she said.

“Djilang has always been Wadawurrung Country, and sharing language is an important step in reconciliation, in creating respect, supporting truth telling in healing and walking together,” Eccles said.

Each year, DjilangPort marks National Reconciliation Week through a program of learning and reflection, encouraging employees to consider how they can contribute to reconciliation in practical ways.

As part of this year’s program, DjilangPort hosted a fireside chat with Collingwood Football Club vice-president and Djab Wurrung and Gunditjmara woman Jodie Sizer, which inspired a conversation on racism, leadership and belonging.