Back in July I launched a small, informal movement that I called SOP (pronounced ‘soap’)—this stands for ‘Save Our Placenames.’
This little movement is necessary because of the push by left-wing political activists to change the names of well-known and well-established places into what they claim are Aboriginal names.
Case in point: ‘Naarm’ we are told is the Aboriginal name for Melbourne.
This, however, is a highly dubious claim.
There never was a single Aboriginal name for what is now the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Furthermore, the name ‘Melbourne’ is the established name, known locally, nationally and internationally.
Furthermore, under what are called ‘dual naming’ principals dual names (an established name plus an Aboriginal name) can only be applied to natural features (rocks, rivers, hills etc.) and not to built-up and developed areas.
So any attempt to re-name Melbourne as ‘Naarm’ is misguided.
In the light of that I must direct you towards the latest issue of The Spectator Australia magazine (out today) which has an article entitled ‘Naming Naarm by Stealth’ by Peter O’Brien.
In the article Peter says that one of the worst offenders in this matter is that taxpayer funded organisation, the ABC.
He reproduces in his article a letter he wrote to the ABC protesting against the use of the name ‘Naarm’ for Melbourne.
He writes: ‘there is one meme that I find intolerable. It is the constant references to Melbourne as Narrm. As a matter of principle, what right do ABC presenters have to, effectively, unilaterally rename one of our major capitals? Is this a policy of the ABC? Or are they acting on their own initiative?’
In response to Peter’s protest the ABC says (in part): ‘The use of Indigenous place names on ABC programs and platforms began in 2019 when the ABC joined Reconciliation Australia’s Action Plan, which is dedicated to making Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander names, voices, and languages an everyday part of the vocabulary.’
This implies that the ABC is prepared to ignore the policy of the official placename authorities in Australia, and insist on giving Aboriginal names to built-up, developed areas—even though they shouldn’t.
In the past I have received complaints from readers of ‘Naarm’ being used instead of Melbourne in sporting broadcasts.
Now, I haven’t heard these myself, I’m just passing on what I’ve been told.
The purpose of this note is to act as an alert, as a warning.
I am encouraging you to look and listen for any organisation that starts using ‘Naarm’ where it should use ‘Melbourne.’
If you encounter such a breach of decency, please write to the offending organisation (politely!) and object to what they are doing.
If there is to be a change of name to Melbourne it must be put the vote.
I suspect any such proposal would be voted down by the same margin that the Voice proposal was lost.
What must not be allowed is for such changes to happen by stealth—just slipping in the change, hoping we won’t notice.
Notice! Protest!
Write to me as well and I’ll publish your report on the website.
All us supporters of SOP must stand together!
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