Why Is There South Morang But No Morang?

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Article heading image for Why Is There South Morang But No Morang?

(Image: Twitter)

It's a question that you've probably never asked... But we'll explain the best we can.

As is stands, there is a Melbourne suburb named South Morang but Morang is suspiciously absent - as pointed out by a user on the Melbourne subreddit.

The reason is not crystal clear - but here is what we've discovered:

There was originally a Morang, which is an Aboriginal word for 'cloudy' or 'sky'.

South Morang was originally known as 'Morang South' until Morang itself was renamed by the locals to Yan Yean South in 1893 - as it is the suburb lying directly below Yan Yean.

Now, while Yan Yean is still known as such today, Yan Yean South got another name change in 1913 to Mernda - an Wurundjeri word meaning earth.

And that is how they are known to this day - the suburbs of Yan Yean, Mernda and South Morang.

It's unclear in the history books as to why South Morang never decided to update their name as well.

So I guess if you ever see South Morang station on your train commute, there is an attempt at a history lesson explaining why.

12 April 2017




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