Wiradjuri Meaning and Language in Parkes

Mali Marambir Ngurang to make better place Parkes

The gugaa is the symbol that connects all Wiradjuri peoples. All Wiradjuri people recognise the gugaa. It is the symbol that connects ALL people, past and present, of Wiradjuri land.

When a person enters, the doors open and the gugaa divides. This shows that there may be an illness and healing may be needed.

When the doors close behind the person, the gugaa comes back together, and shows that the healing process has begun.

The gugaa is surrounded by a healing ring.

The tracks and footprints around the gugaa show the way to where the healing process will take place.

The circle symbols in front of the gugaa are the specialist areas of the hospital which assist with the healing.

The symbols inside the healing ring around the gugaa are the clan groups, community groups, families and carers coming together to bring good thoughts to those being healed, or to be healed themselves.

The star is vital, giving refreshing life and energy to the healing process.
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ngangaanha

Robert Clegg

Designer and Wiradjuri Elder

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When you visit the new Parkes Hospital you are sure to see the large gugaa (goanna) symbol on the main entry doors.

You will also see the new colourful signage for each department with Wiradjuri words and their English meaning.

“Traditionally our hospital buildings haven’t been as welcoming to Aboriginal people as they should be and some Aboriginal people may even be fearful of hospitals,” Liz Mitchell, Lachlan Health Service (LHS) Manager said.

Liz said Aboriginal people generally have poorer health outcomes and lower life expectancy than the rest of the community so it was important that this was addressed when planning the new hospitals.

“When planning started we knew we wanted to use the design of the new hospitals to make them more inviting and culturally sensitive to Aboriginal people.

“Design doesn’t automatically improve local indigenous health outcomes, but it can create a place where people feel welcome and safe, and happy to come to for treatment,” Liz Mitchell said.

Research shows that bright and airy design and clear signage is welcoming and appeals to all patients and visitors.

Both Parkes and Forbes hospitals have added local Wiradjuri language and imagery to the design to create a more culturally appropriate local health service. The aim is to encourage greater Aboriginal attendance and better health outcomes.

At the Parkes main entry doors everyone is welcomed by a large gugaa (goanna) symbol on the doors. The gugaa is the symbol that connects all Wiradjuri peoples.

LHS Redevelopment Project Officer/Change Manager Deborah Hunter explained that local Wiradjuri people were invited to design the motif.

“Local Wiradjuri Elder Robert Clegg’s design was selected, and provides a soft welcome to everyone. Robert titled his design Mali Marambir Ngurang to make better place Parkes.

“The gugaa, which has long been associated with Wiradjuri peoples, divides when people enter showing that healing may be needed. It comes back together when the doors close, showing that healing has begun”.

A storyboard has been added in the entry that visitors can read about the design and its meaning.

The gugaa design on the main entry door at Parkes is a project of the Lachlan Health Service Culture and Arts Working Group which was created to help integrate local culture and artwork into the new Parkes and Forbes facilities.

Directional signage at Parkes Hospital also features Wiradjuri language and the English meaning. Local Wiradjuri Elder Robert Clegg consulted with Dr Stan Grant, co-author of the Wiradjuri dictionary, to ensure that the words appropriately described each hospital area or unit and were spelt correctly.

Adding the Wiradjuri language and English translation in the signage helps to engage the whole Parkes community – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – and ensures the local Wiradjuri language is preserved and respected as a living language.

“Together, the main entry door gugaa symbol and the Wiradjuri language signage create a welcoming environment to our health service for Aboriginal people. They show that Wiradjuri language and culture are respected and valued,” Liz Mitchell said.

“Already we are hearing that local Aboriginal people feel more connected to the new hospital, and Aboriginal attendance rates are increasing.

“Most importantly, incorporating Wiradjuri language and signage in the hospital design shows that we are serious about closing the gap. Everything we do and all our services have to help make that happen.”