** UPDATE 25 October 2021 **
Council recently consulted you on the proposal to co-name the reserve as part of Council’s reconciliation journey.
The community and Council have supported the suggested name for the reserve, Kensington Wama / Kensington Gardens Reserve.
The proposed name for the nature play space that will be created as part of the Kensington Gardens Reserve Project, Kensington Wama Mukangka, was also supported.
BACKGROUND
The City of Burnside has been embarking on a journey of reconciliation. This has involved working with a Kaurna reference group on the Kensington Gardens Reserve Project, and considering Kaurna names for local places.
Co-naming of reserves within the City of Burnside is proposed as a draft outcome in the City of Burnside’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which is under development. This is supported by all members of the RAP Working Group.
A long history
Shipster’s Paddock, which included the southern section of the reserve, is a historically documented gathering place for First Australians. An account from 1848 describes a large corroboree in the area. In 1850, it is reported that a ceremonial funeral was witnessed, involving Kaurna people walking along Stonyfell Creek to Erindale, to a sacred burial ground near Shipster’s Paddock.
This area has special meaning for the Kaurna People for its significance as a gathering place of their ancestors and a burial ground. Laying people to rest and respecting their sleeping places is an important part of the culture. Kensington Gardens Reserve is also significant for providing information to Kaurna about their ancestors’ movements and sacred places.
Formerly grazing land, the 40 acres which comprises the Kensington Gardens Reserve was given to the Tramways Trust by Kensington Gardens Ltd in 1909. The Trust undertook to dedicate the area as a public park and extended the Norwood Parade electric tram to the middle of the northern boundary of the park. The park (including the bandstand) was transferred to the Burnside Council in 1932.
Proposed co-name
Council approached Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi (KWK) to seek their suggestion and approval to use Kaurna names for Kensington Gardens Reserve. As a result, KWK suggested and provided cultural consent to use the co-name Kensington Wama for Kensington Gardens Reserve.
KWK also suggested and provided cultural consent to use the name Kensington Wama Mukangka for the new nature play space that will be created as part of the Kensington Gardens Reserve Project. This is the only name proposed for the nature play space.
A co-name can be used in its complete form or split into its two components that can be used separately. For example, Kensington Wama, or Kensington Gardens Reserve, or the full co-name, could be used when referring to the site.
Can I give feedback?
Yes. Please give your feedback on the proposed co-name Kensington Gardens Reserve / Kensington Wama, and the proposed name of the nature play space Kensington Wama Mukangka, by completing the feedback form below by 5 pm Friday 8 October.
More information
For more information contact Council’s Communications and Engagement Coordinator, Bernie Auricht, on 8366 4200 or email engagement@burnside.sa.gov.au.
Click Pronunciation on the right hand side of this page to hear the correct pronunciation of wama and mukangka.
Wama (wah-ma) plain; flat country
Mukangka (mor-ganga) to play
