Council is trialling interactive signage using Smart City technology to bring the language and heritage of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples to a broader audience.
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The signage promotes dual naming at eight Newcastle landforms, including the Harbour, Nobbys Headland and Shepherds Hill, encouraging usage of dual names in everyday language, events and tourism opportunities.
We are also leading a partnership to develop a virtual reality (VR) package that immerses the viewer in the landscape of Newcastle prior to European settlement.
These are exciting examples of how technology can be applied to very specific uses to bring us closer to Aboriginal heritage, and help us to preserve and educate the community about indigenous heritage and language.
Smart sensors on the signage will note when a person walks by, triggering a speaker to play the Aboriginal name, and each sign also provides Aboriginal history and stories.
The dual naming project, an initiative of council's Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee, involves significant partnerships and participation and support from the Aboriginal community, with artwork for the signage created by Saretta Fielding.
The first sign is along Joy Cummings Promenade near the Queens Wharf at Port Hunter or Yohaaba. After a trial period for this first sign to check how the components hold up in the elements, the other seven will be installed.
