We acknowledge all First Peoples of this land and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders and Ancestors who watch over us and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
We acknowledge all First Peoples of this land and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders and Ancestors who watch over us and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
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Many words commonly used in Australia are from First Nations languages or have been derived from them.
Non-Indigenous Australians use these words every day without knowing where they come from or which language they belong to.
Over 250 First Languages were spoken in Australia before colonisation, but only around 120 are still spoken. The loss of these languages is a serious threat to First Nations identity and wellbeing.
There are many First Nations words found in the common labels for Australian animals. Koalas are one such famous animal, and a popular symbol of Australia.
The name “koala” is derived from the Dharug word “gula” or “gulamany” meaning “no drink”. Koalas don’t often need to drink water because they get enough moisture from the eucalyptus leaves they eat. However, koalas are increasingly being seen drinking water to try and survive heatwaves, deforestation and bushfires.
Koala habitat stretches along the eastern side of Australia. In the north past Yidinji Country in Gimuy (Cairns), out west along the longitude of Wiradjuri Country, right down to Gunaikurnai Country (Gippsland) and Gunditjmara Country (Portland) in Victoria, and west across to Tarntanya (Adelaide) in Kaurna Country.
While the koala population is declining, these animals have historically covered the Country of hundreds of different First Nations and language groups. So there are many different words for koala in different languages. Some of them include:
Nation(s): Birrbay (Biripi), Guringay (Gringai), Warrimay (Worimi)
Language: Gathang
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Nation(s): Wiradjuri
Language: Wiradjuri
Nation(s): Yugambeh
Language: Yugambeh
Doombearpee, dumirripi
Nation(s): Quandamooka
Language: Jandai
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Nation(s): Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi)
Language: Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi)
Our friends Koala are supporting Common Ground to amplify First Nations voices, and spread awareness about the Australian environment and its wildlife.
We are a First Nations not-for-profit that exists to centre First Nations people, knowledge and cultures. We acknowledge all First Peoples of this land and celebrate their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders and Ancestors who watch over us and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
