CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
A collection of high-profile Australian historians have today identified the origins of the name ‘Blue Mountains’ after centuries of confusion.
While the town’s within the region mostly adhere to local Indigenous language, such as Katoomba (“shining falling water”) and Kurrajong (“Brachychiton populneus”) – colonial settlement brought with it much confusion, as the mountain range was given an English name by white newcomers.
Originally thought to be derived from the blue tinge the range takes on when viewed from a distance, due to the blue-greyish particles ommitted by the dense eucalyptus plantflife – this theory has since been debunked.
New studies into the written and oral history of the Blue Mountains has found a much less complex explanation for the name.
Professor Victoria Tomah, Lead researcher for Blue Mountains Information And Fact Finding Office (BIFFO) has found that the name actually comes from the local’s short-tempers and willingness to engage in physical confrontation.
“Blue Mountains residents, both male and female, stand at the centre or out-metropolitan New South Wales as citizens trained in the disciplines and honour of a warrior society.” said the professor.
The BIFFO report has outlined the history of the name, pointing to the pubs and rugby league clubs of the region as a fair explanation of the name.
“Basically, anyone from the Blue Mountains can and will blue”
“That’s where the name comes from”
“Because they love a blue and love putting on a blue”
“That’s why its called the Blue Mountains”
