Australians will be able to post packages featuring Indigenous place names as part of a new initiative to mark NAIDOC week.
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Australia Post on Monday launched newly designed satchels with a line below the recipient's name to include a traditional place name. An acknowledgement of country is also printed on the package.
The idea was the brainchild of First Nations Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail, who petitioned the national postage service to collate a database of traditional place names last year.
Australia Post's national Indigenous manager Chris Heelan said the new packaging was a simple but meaningful way to promote and celebrate Indigenous communities.
"We not only listened to Rachael, but to the overwhelming feedback from thousands of Australians who supported this fantastic concept to recognise traditional country on their mail," the Noongar man said.
This year's NAIDOC theme is "Heal Country", calling for stronger measures to recognise, protect and maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
Ms McPhail encouraged Australians to expand their knowledge of Indigenous heritage and start including traditional place names when sending letters and parcels.
"This is about paying respect to First Nations people, and their continuing connection to country," she said.
"If everyone adopts this small change, it will make a big difference."
In another NAIDOC celebration, Australia Post is also wrapping a number of its postal boxes on the street in an Indigenous design by Karajarri man Marcus Lee.
Australian Associated Press
