Road construction sometimes means new names, new opportunities.. The Kempsey bypass project includes a bridge over the Macleay River and Floodplain which, at 2 kilometres long on completion, will be the longest bridge in Australia.
So Yapang Gurraarrbang Gayandigayigu Very Long Track to the Other Side….
This is the neat name which, so Amanda Lissarague tells me, the Dhanggati Language Group has come up with, supported by the Macleay Valley Tourist Association Inc, Kemspey Aboriginal Land Council, Dunghutti Elders. Dhanggati Language Group are a group of Elders who are involved in language revival, and currently doing the Certificate 1 in an Aboriginal Language (Dhanggati) at Kempsey TAFE, taught by Aunty Esther Quinlin, with Amanda’s support (Muurrbay Regional Language Centre). The Elders are also informing the ongoing research and development of the second edition (yes!) of the Dhanggati grammar & dictionary. Aunty Esther Quinlan, Uncle Graham Quinlan and Aunty Cheryl Blair are teaching Dhanggati in Kempsey primary schools.
There’s an alternative proposal from the local RSL, for the name of a fallen soldier from the region. The final decision rests with
The Hon. Duncan Gay MLC
Minister for Roads and Maritime Services
Level 35 Gov. Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
office@gay.minister.nsw.gov.au
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