NSW national park to be get new name after study shows current title's links to 'blackbirding'

A national park on the NSW far south coast is to be renamed over links to slavery-related practice of 'blackbirding'.

Ben Boyd National Park, south of Eden, is currently named after a Scottish colonialist from the 19th century, Benjamin Boyd.

The name of the park has long sparked controversy, particularly among the local indigenous community, who have called for it to be changed due to Boyd's links to 'blackbirding.'

Boyd is considered Australia's first 'blackbirder', the name given to operators who shipped South Sea Islanders to the colonies and paid minimal wages to evade anti-slavery laws.

Advising that the decision to change the park's name was long overdue, NSW Environment Minister, Matt Kean today stated “it is time to acknowledge the real history of Ben Boyd and remove his name from the national park.

"It is clear from the expert historical analysis that Ben Boyd's association with 'blackbirding' should not be reflected or celebrated in any way in our national parks.

“There are many people from NSW’s early history who are worth remembering and celebrating but it is clear from this historical analysis that Ben Boyd is not one of them.”

“By re-naming the park, we not only celebrate ancient Aboriginal culture but also recognise its importance to Aboriginal people in recent history.”

Last year, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) responded to calls to rename Ben Boyd National Park by engaging an independent historian, Dr Mark Dunn, to provide a report on the history of Ben Boyd on the NSW South Coast.

With Dr Dunn’s report confirming Ben Boyd’s involvement in ‘blackbirding’, renaming the park follows the NPWS Parks Name Policy where new park names should come from Aboriginal communities.

NPWS will now work with Elders and Aboriginal community representatives to identify a new name for the park. Consultation on a new name is expected to start in the coming weeks.

Image: Ben Boyd National Park. Credit: Destination NSW.