Before European settlers arrived, the land that encompasses Vincent was a rich network of waterways, wetlands, swamps, and lakes that had spiritual and social importance to the Noongar people. This land was used for meeting places, trading, hunting, gathering and ceremonies.
A chain of seasonal wetlands that stretched between the coast and north of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) was crucial to Noongar life and culture. Much of the wetlands in Vincent were built upon and were infilled or drained from the 1850s. Many of the parks and reserves are located on or around former swamps.
For Noongar people, these nine significant sites serve as a direct link between their past and present culture. Aboriginal sites have immense cultural, scientific, educational, historical, and often, personal interest. These links are part of what creates such a deep spiritual connection to Noongar Boodjar culture.
Vincent has nine places of significance to Aboriginal people that are registered through the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
Lake Monger - Galup
Located at the northwest corner of Britannia Reserve, on the east side of Lake Monger.
Evidence suggests that this site was used both before and after colonists arrived. The site was originally located on a dune on the east side of Lake Monger, which was much larger and included much of Britannia Reserve. A dense scatter of stone artefacts was discovered here, including several large sets of artefacts that are now part of the Western Australia Museum collection.
The area surrounding the lake is known as ‘Galup’, meaning ‘place of campfires. Local Aboriginal people used the area for gathering food, camping, meetings, and ceremonies. Artefacts have been discovered at various sites around the lake.
Swan River - Derbarl Yerrigan
The entire Derbarl Yerrigan is included in this significant site and makes up the eastern border of Vincent.
The Derbarl Yerrigan was a reliable source of fresh water for Noongar people that provided fish, birds, frogs, turtles and other plants and animals for food. It was an important bidi (track) for transportation and moving from place to place.
The Derbarl Yerrigan has a strong mythical connection with the Waugal rainbow serpent, who created all the landscape and waterways during the nyitting (cold times). This creative ancestral being served as the foundation for many ceremonial practices. Many Whadjuk Noongar people recognise the river as the home of the Waugal and Dreaming Stories. The Waugal is believed to be the giver of life protecting all fresh water.
It is registered as having connections to creation and dreaming narrative.
Warndoolier - Banks Reserve
On the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) in East Perth near the East Perth Power Station and the Windan Bridge.
Warndoolier is noted for its cultural significance as a ‘meeting place’ and a ‘camp’. It is considered by Noongar people to be of great heritage significance for its spiritual, mythological, and historical connections due to its proximity to the Derbarl Yerrigan.
The name Warndoolier appears as the Noongar name for Banks Reserve on historic maps that date from the 1900’s to the 1940’s. The Noongar names on these historic maps were provided by land activist and local Noongar woman, Fanny Balbuk Yooreel (1840 – 1907) whose knowledge of Noongar Boodjar (country), informed the Noongar Native Title claim of 2006.
Stones Lake
The north side of Birdwood Square on the corner of Bulwer Street and Beaufort Street.
Before the area was developed, this area was a large lake.
This was a place of camping, hunting and ceremony and there is evidence the Noongar name for the lake is Yoordgoorading. It is registered as a camping and hunting place as well as having connections to Creation and Dreaming Narratives. It is a mythical place associated with the Waugal.
Weld Square
Weld Square is located on the corner of Newcastle and Beaufort Streets, Perth.
The site is registered as an important camping and gathering place.
Before infilling and draining of the wetlands across Perth, Weld Square was part of a lake called Yoordoorading. Yoordoorading was part of the interconnected wetland system that was central to Noongar life and culture. This was a gathering place for Noongar people.
Dog Swamp
Goobabilup is the northeast corner of the Vincent boundary and includes the northernmost part of North Perth, near Kyilla Primary School.
The site is registered as a camp, water source, quarry and connections to creation and dreaming narratives.
The site has significance as a mythological site relating to the Waugal, the water snake Noongar people recognise as responsible for the creation of the landscape during the nyitting (cold times). It was also a place to quarry wilgie (red ochre), which was an important trading commodity for Noongar people. Dog Swamp was a reliable water source. The freshwater pools at Dog Swamp were used as a place to camp and water source for Noongar people traveling to and from the meeting place of Yanchep or hunting and foraging in the waterways along present day Wanneroo Road.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is bounded by Vincent, Glendower, Throssell and William Streets.
Hyde Park, known as Boodjamooling, or ‘Third Swamp’ is registered as a camping, hunting, and meeting place. This was a key wetland campsite where turtle and fish were hunted, and the large paper bark trees were used to make shelters.
This site was particularly important to Noongar people during summer and early autumn as a camping spot as food could readily be found in the swamps as they dried in the warming weather.
There is evidence the area was also an important ceremonial site where Noongar people from throughout the southwest would gather to perform ‘law businesses'. This included trading, resolving conflicts, planning relationships, sharing knowledge between generations, and negotiating deals.
The site is at the southwestern corner of Robertson Park, Fitzgerald Street. Before infilling, this was the site of Henderson’s Lake.
It is believed that Noongar people spent time here to take part in ceremonies educating young Noongar people. It was a part of the wide freshwater system made up of swamps, lakes and the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River). As with other waterways, Noongar people spent time here in the warm summer months as food and shelter were plentiful.
Camping and ceremonial grounds were located just to the north of the oval near the corner of Wright and Lincoln Street.
Robertson Park is registered as a burial site as skeletal remains were discovered. It also has connection to creation and dreaming narratives and is registered as a plant resource.
This may have been a place associated with seeing important things. It was also noted that that during early colonial times a group of over 300 Noongar met here for ceremony, song and dance making it likely that the place is associated with carrying out important business. It is possible that this camping area was associated with young men’s law ceremony, where families could camp a distance away from other activities taking place, watch and see from a distance.
Carr Street Burial
This is a registered burial site where skeletal remains were discovered.