Wagga councillors are still divided about the true meaning of Wagga five months after the mistake in translation was brought to their attention.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In what appeared as a straightforward process of updating of the council's Agency Information Guide, instead re-sparked doubts regarding the validity of Wagga's new meaning of place of many dances and celebrations.
As the council voted to incorporate this new meaning in the document, Councillor Paul Funnell rose to object because he was "unconvinced" and "the jury was still out" on the revelation.
"We made an official decision on the word of one person," he said.
"I want to learn ... I have read where there is tangible evidence that what has been suggested is not correct."
Read more:
Last year, the Wiradjuri community set the record straight when revealing Wagga meant dance in Wiradjuri language and Wagga Wagga meant place of many dances and celebrations.
It's unclear where the incorrect definition originally stemmed from, but councillors made the decision to adopt a Reconciliation Action Plan, which vowed to embrace and promote the Wiradjuri meaning moving forward.
Cr Funnell is not the first to air his concerns since the Reconciliation Action Plan was supported, with Cr Kerry Pascoe presenting an "extremely important" document to the council, which told a different story.
Cr Vanessa Keenan said she was "disappointed" to see councillors cast doubt after the real meaning had been accepted.
"What we are being told by our acknowledged Indigenous representatives in this area - more than one person - is something we need to pay more attention to," she said.
"History evolves and usually the voice of the powerful at the time ... is the voice that gets heard."
Cr Dallas Tout said accepting one meaning did not mean the other will be replaced. It was this interpretation that was reiterated by general manager Peter Thompson, who said the city needs to embrace both identities.
"The council - through the Reconciliation Action Plan - accepted in good faith, that the Wiradjuri people understand Wagga to mean a place of many dances and celebrations and that is a meaning we will promote moving forward," he said.
"It doesn't mean the city loses its connection to the place of many crows.
"I personally think both [meanings] have a role and the city has a great alignment with crows that we don't want to leave behind."