Djillong means 'a tongue of land' - pronounced Geelong since Europeans came to the area.

This website is about the regions Aboriginal history, culture and people.

The original website was established in 2012 and was transferred onto new software in May 2016.

We are making updates to the content, including the timeline (e.g. broken links are being replaced).

The original website is still accessible at: https://sites.google.com/site/didyouknowgeelong/

The timeline provides information about key historical events, including acts of reconciliation.

Djillong Timeline

Map of the Wadda Wurrung Nation

Wadda Wurrung 

Dja Ngawa? Did you know ... ?  The Wadda Wurrung People Did you know compressed

  • Geelong was named in 1837 by Governor Richard Burke, with the name derived from the local Wathaurong(Wadda Wurrung) Aboriginal name for the region, Djillong, which was understood to mean 'tongue of land'.

A message from the Wathaurong people taken from the book ‘Wathaurong – The People Who Said No’ (Pascoe, B, 2003, The Wathaurong Co-operative)

‘Nyurra Wurriyn, Keem barne barre Wadda Wurrung. Kitjarra ngitj, bitjarra ngala, mok barra tjarra ngitj. Keen keen beel baa Yoowang ngitj. Nyatne.

‘Hello, this is Wathaurong country. Let us talk together. Let us walk together, let us not fight, let us have peace and learn, black and  white together. Thank you.’

To honor that message the Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group worked in partnership with Uncle David Tournier, Cultural Heritage Education Language Officer for the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to develop this website. Uncle David provided much of the website content. 
 
The Wadda Wurrung People: Did you know? 
Produced by Jo Whitehead of Queenscliffe Reconciliation Mob, with content provided by Uncle David Tournier, and artwork by Kelly Koumalatsos & John Murray

We welcome comments and contributions that respect the spirit of the Wathaurong people's message above. 

Link here for contact details. 
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