A joint initiative between the Geographical Names Board (GNB), Camden Council and the NSW Department of Education, students will research and nominate local individuals (now deceased) who have made a meaningful contribution to the area.
The pilot program aims to ensure new place and road names reflect Camden’s cultural heritage and diversity by recognising the people, stories and histories that have shaped the local community.
Student nominations for the Names that Tell a Story project will be submitted through Camden Council’s Your Voice Camden online platform and added to a curated “word bank” that the Council can draw on for future naming proposals.
Outstanding submissions will be recognised through awards, with certificates provided to students whose suggested names are shortlisted for future use.
The Camden LGA continues to experience rapid population growth, with the new suburb of Barker alone expected to service around 7000 new residential properties and as naming demand for new place and road names.
Member for Camden Sally Quinnell said: “Place names matter, they tell the stories of who we are and where we’ve come from. This initiative is about recognising the people, histories and cultural heritage that have shaped our local community, and ensuring those stories are reflected in the very fabric of our neighbourhoods for generations to come.
“The pilot program is a fantastic opportunity to give young people in our community a genuine voice in shaping the identity of this new suburb. By involving local students in the naming of streets, we’re not only encouraging community participation — we’re also ensuring the next generation feels a strong sense of connection and pride in where they live.”