Home - Djillong

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

This website is about the region's Aboriginal history, culture and people.

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

Reconciliation in the Park 2022 will be on Sunday 22nd May

Wadawurrung Aboriginal Corporation: Registered Aboriginal Party - Wadawurrung cultural heritage & tradition, advice, cross cultural training and education

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative: providing services and connection of Aboriginal people living in the region

Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group: acting to strengthen local relationships, and bring about change to back Aboriginal self-determination

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contain voices and images of deceased persons.

Wadawurrung

Dja Ngawa? Did you know ... ?

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

Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group worked in partnership with the late 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. Since Uncle's passing in 2016, Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation, the 'Registered Aboriginal Party' and Traditional Custodians of this Country guide the updates and new materials.

The Wadawurrung People: Did you know?

Produced by Jo Whitehead of Queenscliffe Reconciliation Mob,

Content originally provided by Uncle David Tournier

Artwork by Kelly Koumalatsos & John Murray

Link here for contact details for Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation and Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group