Renaming one of the region's major highways in honour of the state's largest Aboriginal nation is gaining momentum.
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The journey of recognition - which one Wiradjuri elder says has spanned two decades - is one step closer to reality with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to embark on the latest phase of community consultation.
The RMS plan to rename the 522km-long Mid Western Highway the Wiradjuri Highway and have recently called for comment on the proposal.
The highway, which runs from Hay to West Wyalong and then to Bathurst, is the only one in NSW to lie fully within an Aboriginal cultural area.
Wagga-based senior Wiradjuri elder Flo Grant was "very supportive" of the proposal when she spoke to The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
Flo said the idea was mooted about 20 years ago after her brother, Pastor Cecil Grant, wrote to councils about having Wiradjuri Country on their welcome signs.
Last year, a small group of elders met with NSW minister for roads and ports Duncan Gay last year and Flo said the minister was supportive of the move.
She said the Wiradjuri Council of Elders had worked tirelessly to recover their land and languages and the naming of the highway would further expand the recognition.
"(The highway goes) right through the centre of our country, it's really a wonderful move," Flo said.
"The Wiradjuri Country begins once the mountains are crossed ... and it goes right through to Hay."
Flo described the process as a "very long, but interesting journey".
"It's something all Wiradjuri people have been working towards," she said.
"This is a really good extra move the government is doing in recognition of the Wiradjuri Country.
"I think it's building quite a few really good bridges."
The RMS has already consulted with Aboriginal land councils, shire councils and elected representatives about the change.
Not all have backed the idea, with Carrathool mayor Peter Laird telling Fairfax Media in July his council was happy with the status quo.
"When you start changing names you start confusing people," Mr Laird said at the time.
"It's been that way forever and a day. We see no reason to change it."
The RMS now wants feedback from people who live along the road, emergency services and government agencies.
The organisation said the move had the potential to create tourism opportunities.
"This could include cultural heritage information boards in rest areas or themed signage along the highway," the RMS proposal said.
How to have your say
Submissions can be lodged online, via email or posted by 5pm on November 28.
Online: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects and click on Western Region or South West Region to provide feedback online,
Email: Wagga.Wagga.Regional.Office@rms.gov.au.
Write: to PO Box 484 Wagga NSW 2650.
