On Thursday 19 April 2018 Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia unveiled the first marker installed in the new Perth Commonwealth Walkway.
When complete, the Walkway will encourage residents and visitors to enjoy a self-guided walking and learning experience which focuses attention on areas of history or places of interest in the city, including Aboriginal heritage and culture.
Each site in the route will be marked permanently with a large, in-ground bronze marker displaying the words Ngalang Bidi, which means ‘Our Path’ in the Whadjuk Noongar language, alongside the Queen’s personal EIIR Royal Cypher.
The inclusion of the Whadjuk Noongar language is unique to the Perth Commonwealth Walkway and signifies the first time an indigenous language has aligned with the Royal Cypher in such a way. The launch of the new Perth Commonwealth Walkway aligns with an important time for Australia’s global connections, with the recent hosting of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Mr Hugo Vickers DL emphasised the significance of the Perth Commonwealth Walkway in an official message: “We are delighted that Her Excellency has assisted the community with launching the Commonwealth Walkway in Perth. The world has long known how important trails are to the Aboriginal people, to Western Australians and the Whadjuk/ Noongar people in particular. We very much hope that the new Perth Commonwealth Walkway will only add to your enviable reputation.”
At the unveiling ceremony at Government House, distinguished Aboriginal Elder and 2018 NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year Dr Noel Nannup provided a traditional welcome to country.
The marker unveiled by Her Excellency at today’s launch can be found on the footpath outside Government House at the Pier Street and St George’s Terrace intersection.
A second marker was also unveiled at Parliament House. Additional markers will be unveiled at other significant places around the city in the coming months, along with more information about how to navigate the final route.
Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC Governor of Western Australia regarding the unveiling of the first marker in the new Perth Commonwealth Walkway said:
“As a passionate advocate of our State’s unique natural environment I support the Outdoor Trust’s aim to get people, especially young people, outdoors and walking. I am therefore delighted that the new Perth Commonwealth Walkway will combine an educational experience for both visitors and residents to learn more about our city’s landmarks as well as enjoy the health benefits of being outdoors in nature. For Perth, the inclusion of Aboriginal history in our Commonwealth Walkway is important because our city was built on ancient land that is important to the Noongar people and our State today.”