Culminating in an exhibition that transported visitors back to pre-colonial times to experience Noongar life and culture, Place Names Bayswater began in March 2024, with a series of decoding workshops run by Dr Len Collard from Moodjar and attended by Elders and Traditional Owners connected to that land. During these workshops five ancient Noongar placenames from the area in and around the City of Bayswater were decoded: Birralyn, Malgamongup, Moorordup, Nyurrdup and Woorat.
First Nations people living on, or connected to, Bayswater were then offered the opportunity to take part in cultural mapping workshops with Noongar artist Zali Morgan supported by Traditional Owner and Noongar artist Geri Hayden. During these workshops they collaboratively created artworks that explore the meanings of the local placenames uncovered in the decoding sessions.
The focus of these workshops was the creation of a large-scale handmade map of the area, depicting the locations of the five decoded place names. Stories shared by Elders and Traditional Owners during the project were recorded in writing, by Yamatji/Native American playwright and writer Bruce Denny, and this story became the basis of a book and animation (see below).
The creative outcomes of Place Names Bayswater – the map and other artworks, animation and book – were celebrated in an exhibition Birralyn Kaartadjin | Bayswater Knowledge, which took place from 16 April to 11 May 2025 at The RISE in Maylands.
Place Names Bayswater was produced by CAN in partnership with the City of Bayswater and Moodjar.
Place Names Bayswater was supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts program, Creative Australia, the City of Bayswater and Principal Partner Moodjar.
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Video
Baarlunging Birralyn Maarkulin Animation - Bayswater
Be transported back in time to explore what Noongar life and culture were like in the animation Baarlunging Birralyn Maarkulin I Tracking Bayswater Journey.
Taking viewers on a virtual tour of the Place Names Bayswater project's decoded placename locations, Baarlunging Birralyn Maarkulin explains how and why the Noongar people moved from place to place as the seasons changed.
Written by Bruce Denny and animated by Alexander Hare, Baarlunging Birralyn Maarkulin is based on stories shared by Elders and Traditional Owners during the Place Names Bayswater project, and features intricate illustrations created by project participants.