Sydney's Cooks River could be renamed “Goolay'yari”, meaning “place of pelican dreaming” in local Aboriginal languages. 

The notion has been raised as part of the Goolay’yari Aboriginal Partnership Strategy, co-designed by the Cooks River Alliance and Traditional Custodians along with other local Aboriginal people.

The proposal aims to restore the river’s Aboriginal heritage, promote reconciliation, and foster cultural understanding and respect. 

Gregory Andrews, a Dharawal man who facilitated consultations for the proposal, explained to reporters; “It’s not really renaming, it’s giving back the name that it’s always had”.

For thousands of years before colonisation, the Cooks River was a vital resource for the Aboriginal peoples, providing food, shelter, and cultural significance. 

However, colonisation and subsequent decision-making have significantly degraded the river, leading to it being named “Australia’s sickest river.” 

The strategy aligns with the Cooks River Alliance's Strategic Plan 2022-2025 (PDF) and seeks to implement Objective 2.1: a permanent Aboriginal voice to Place.

The strategy outlines nine goals, including:

  1. Reviving Cultural Celebrations: The Wurridjal Festival will be revitalised as an annual event, celebrating Aboriginal heritage and fostering community connections.

  2. Joint Management Committee: A new Joint Management Committee (JMC) will include 50% Aboriginal representation, ensuring that Traditional Custodians are central to decision-making processes.

  3. Renaming the Alliance: The Cooks River Alliance will be renamed the Goolay’yari Alliance to honour the river’s Aboriginal heritage.

  4. Aboriginal Boatshed and Cultural Hub: An Aboriginal Boatshed will serve as a cultural hub, promoting artistic expression, educational programs, and eco-tourism.

  5. Integration of Aboriginal Knowledge: Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) will be incorporated into river management practices, enhancing sustainability and cultural healing.

  6. Aboriginal Landcare Coordinator: A dedicated position will focus on applying TEK and fostering collaboration with local Aboriginal communities.

  7. Cultural Competency Training: Comprehensive training for Alliance employees will promote cultural safety and competency.

  8. Indigenous Procurement: The strategy encourages economic empowerment by supporting Indigenous businesses through procurement policies.

  9. Reconciliation Action Plan: A detailed plan will outline the Alliance's commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous engagement, and cultural preservation.

From May to September 2023, the strategy was developed through a community engagement process involving the Wangal, Cadigal, and Gameygal peoples as Traditional Custodians. 

This process included community mapping, consultations, workshops, and a Cooks River Goolay’yari Koori Family Fun Day, which gathered over 120 local Aboriginal people to discuss and validate the strategy’s goals.

The proposal to rename Cooks River to Goolay’yari is yet to be fully endorsed by the Alliance and requires approval from the NSW Geographical Names Board. 

“The [Aboriginal partnership strategy] plan is [endorsed], but not necessarily the renaming. It’s something the community would have to agree on first before going any further,” said Andrew Thomas from the Alliance’s secretariat.