Published on Wednesday, 3 February 2021 at 2:49:17 PM
Lake Argyle’s Mount Misery has been renamed to its original Miriwoong Aboriginal Dreaming name of Bilbiljim. Land Minister Ben Wyatt granted the name change after a request from the Miriwoong traditional owners. Bilbiljim (pronounced Bil-bil-jim) means ‘grasshopper dreaming’.
The mountain range was named Mount Misery in 1885 by Surveyor H.F. Johnson due to what he referred to as a “miserable time” while his party camped there for six weeks waiting for a farrier's leg to heal from injury.
Minister Ben Wyatt said renaming the landmark is important for the traditional owners to connect with the land and solidify their story in Western Australia’s history. A recognition that they deserve.
"Reinstating the original traditional Aboriginal name - Bilbiljim - for this prominent landmark in Lake Argyle not only helps strengthen the Miriwoong people's connection to the land but also cements its story in Western Australia's history,” said Wyatt,
“This recognition has been a long time coming and gives the traditional owners the great privilege, honour and respect they deserve.”
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