Australians will now be able to address parcels using Indigenous place names, with Australia Post rolling out new packaging to coincide with NAIDOC week.
Customers will now be able to buy parcels and satchels which include a dedicated space for the inclusion of traditional place names and a printed acknowledgment of country.
The move follows a campaign led by Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail, who last year the organisation to compile a database of traditional place names.
“This is about paying respect to First Nations people, and their continuing connection to country,” she said in a statement on Monday.
“If everyone adopts this small change, it will make a big difference.”
In November last year, the postal service publicly endorsed Ms McPhail’s campaign to include Indigenous place names on addresses, releasing guidelines on how to include traditional names on their letter and parcel postage.
Parcels from Australia Post will now include traditional place names after a campaign from Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail. Source: Australia Post
“We not only listened to Rachael, but to the overwhelming feedback from thousands of Australians who supported this fantastic concept to recognise traditional country on their mail,” Australia Post National Indigenous Manager Chris Heelan said.
“Including the traditional place name as part of the mailing address is a simple but meaningful way to promote and celebrate our Indigenous communities, which is something Australia Post has a long and proud history of doing.”
Traditional place names can already be used on letters, provided the name appears above the street address to ensure the item is properly sorted.
Ms McPhail has also called on Australian businesses and organisations to include traditional place names as part of their online address forms.
