Wadandi Country
The City of Busselton is located on Wadandi Boodja, the traditional lands of the Wadandi people. The Wadandi people are the Traditional Custodians of this Country and have cared for its lands, waterways, forests and coastline for tens of thousands of years. Their enduring connection to Country, culture and community continues today.
The Aboriginal name for Busselton is Undalup, named after the respected Wadandi warrior and leader Undal. The Wadandi people are known as the "saltwater people", reflecting their deep connection to the ocean and coastal environment. For generations, they have gathered bush foods, managed natural resources and maintained strong cultural and spiritual connections across the region's coastal, river and forest landscapes.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The City of Busselton is committed to building respectful relationships and meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal people and communities. Through its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) journey, the City seeks to foster greater understanding, respect and opportunities for reconciliation across the community.
The City's RAP journey began in 2015 through conversations with Aboriginal community members, organisations and City staff. In 2020, Reconciliation Australia endorsed the City's first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, providing a framework to guide actions and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal people within the district.
Since then, the City has continued to work alongside Aboriginal community members, Elders and organisations to advance reconciliation and ensure Aboriginal voices help shape projects, programs and decision-making. Initiatives include heritage surveys undertaken before works that may disturb Country, environmental restoration projects, cultural awareness activities and community events that celebrate Aboriginal culture and history.
Recent achievements include:
- Establishment of an Aboriginal Community Development Officer role.
- Formation of an Elders Advisory Group.
- Ongoing engagement with Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation and local Aboriginal community members.
- Expansion of National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week activities.
- Delivery of cultural projects, public art and interpretation across the district.
- Aboriginal involvement in the planning, design and cultural storytelling elements of Saltwater Busselton.
The City is continuing to build on the foundations established through its Reflect RAP and is working toward the next stage of its reconciliation journey.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Community Events and Activities
Each year, the City works alongside Elders, Aboriginal community members and partner organisations to deliver events that celebrate culture, strengthen relationships and create opportunities for learning and connection. These activities include: 
- National Reconciliation Week Walk and Community Morning Tea
- NAIDOC Week celebrations
- NAIDOC Week Flag Raising Ceremony
- Elders Lunch
- Cultural Activity Day
- Mental Health Week activities
- Indigenous Sports Day
These events provide opportunities for the broader community to learn about Aboriginal culture, recognise the contributions of Aboriginal people and celebrate the rich heritage of Wadandi Country.
Aboriginal-Led and Collaborative Projects
The City has worked with Aboriginal artists, Elders and community members on a range of projects that celebrate, preserve and share local culture and stories. These include:
- Gaywal statue as part of the Settlement Art Project.
- Korrianne sculpture in Yallingup.
- Boodja Koondarminy artwork in Busselton.
- Gnuraren Mia (working title) at the Barnard East Conservation Area.
- Yoganup Park interpretation and signage.
- Merenj Boodja Bush Food Garden.
- Revegetation projects along the Vasse River.
- Waljin Park interpretation and cultural storytelling elements.
- Keyap Boodja, Water Country, a major artwork by Melissa Riley at the Busselton Margaret River Airport, supported through Tourism WA's Jina Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan.
- A Welcome Statement on the airport arrivals building developed with community input.
- Gulyarra Gabbi Djalum Kalleep – The Meeting Place of the Saltwater Camp, a major cultural artwork and story integrated into Saltwater Busselton, designed by Noongar artist Sandra Hill.
These projects help recognise the cultural significance of Wadandi Country and create opportunities for residents and visitors to learn about local Aboriginal history, language and culture.
Language
Many places throughout the region retain names derived from Noongar languages. Examples include:
- Yallingup – Place of Holes
- Quindalup – Place of the Quenda (Bandicoot)
- Wonnerup – Place of the Women's Digging Stick
- Meelup – Place of Eyes
Within the Bibbulmun Nation, the language traditionally spoken in this area is Wadandi. As Aboriginal languages were traditionally spoken rather than written, different spellings have developed over time. You may see words written as Noongar, Nyungar, Nyoongar and other variations, all reflecting the rich diversity of language and dialect across south-west Western Australia.
Other resources:
Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation
Undalup Association
South West Aboriginal Medical Service
Noongar Boodjar Language Cultural Aboriginal Corporation
Kaartdijijn Noongar Knowledge