Australia Post adds First Nations Country options to satchels

It comes after community consultation revealed widespread support for the recognition of traditional place names.

A sample of what the new Australia Post parcels and satchels will look like when using their mailing service. Source: Supplied (Australia Post).

Australia Post has made permanent the option to include First Nations country names on their packaging.

The new initiative was launched Monday to mark NAIDOC Week and its theme 'Heal Country!'.

The organisation has also marked the annual celebration by wrapping a number of its street posting boxes in artwork by Darwin’s Marcus Lee, of the Karajarri People.

Australia Post’s National Indigenous Manager, Noongar man Chris Heelan, said it's a simple gesture with a positive and long-term effect. 

“It's just an opportunity to open up some wider dialogue and maybe encourage all Australians to consider their campaign,” Mr Heelan told NITV News.  

“We’re encouraging all of our customers to engage locally, speak to your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands councils and your appropriate cultural centres.

"[the option] is a simple but meaningful way to promote and celebrate our Indigenous communities, which is something Australia Post has a long and proud history of doing.”

Australia Post has wrapped a number of its Street Posting Boxes to celebrate 2021 NAIDOC Week with artwork by Marcus Lee of the Karajarri People. Source: NITV.

The move was prompted after Australia Post was approached with the idea by Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail, and is the result of direct customer feedback.

“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,” said Mr Heelan. 

“If you go into any local post office, you will see that there is a generic acknowledgement of traditional custodians message that's on all of our outlets across the country.

"It doesn't matter whether you're an Aboriginal person or a non-Aboriginal person, when you walk into any of our outlets with that acknowledgement that you too can feel proud."

Ms McPhail said she was delighted to see Australia Post build upon her idea.

“This is about paying respect to First Nations people, and their continuing connection to Country," said Ms McPhail. 

"If everyone adopts this small change, it will make a big difference."

The newly designed Parcel Post and Express Post satchels, which also include an Acknowledgement of Country, have a nominated line below the recipient’s name to include a Traditional Place name above the street address and postcode.

Traditional Place names can also be used on letters, provided they appear above the street address and postcode.