The Jaithmathangs are a range of peaks that form the western edge of the Bogong High Plains in north eastern Victoria, just to the south of Mt Fainter. They face out onto the impressive east face of Mt Feathertop. They were long known as ‘The Niggerheads’. They were renamed in 2009, after consultation with the local Indigenous community.

This sparked considerable controversy, with representatives of the Dhudhuroa people opposing the renaming. An article from the ABC is available here.

Another account, ‘Renaming after 30 years’,  explains why the name was used, and can be found here. According to this report, “After 30 years of consultation, debate and controversy, the ‘Niggerhead’ name was replaced with the name of one of the traditional languages of the area, Jaithmathang (pronounced: Yate-me-tung)”.

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ABOVE: on the Jaithmathangs.

The Jaithmathangs, mid winter

 

Feathertop and the Jaithmathangs