Nippa’s legacy set to be honoured with naming of Ashworth Crescent Park

A prominent Aboriginal figure in Narrogin’s history looks set to have his legacy recognised with the naming of a new park in his honour.

John Jack Levi “Boringa” Nippa Humes — or Nippa as he was often called — left an indelible impression on Narrogin through his farm and community work in the late 19th century.

The Shire recently held a meeting with key members of Narrogin’s Noongar community, including Gloria Kickett, Ross Storey and Marian Hill, who are all direct descendants of Nippa.

Records indicate Nippa was born in Pingelly in 1868, later moving to Narrogin to be with his wife, Ada Bennell.

The couple had many children, with their legacy living on in Narrogin through more than a dozen family groups, according to the Shire.

“Naming the park Boringa Park is an important story that needs to be told, and a deserved honour for another of Narrogin’s first fathers,” the Shire said in a statement. Shire of Narrogin chief executive Dale Stewart said naming the park on Ashworth Crescent after Nippa was strongly supported by residents, who identified him as a worthy candidate.

“He’s regarded as a local Indigenous elder of significance,” Mr Stewart said.

“We’d love to hear from people who have knowledge of Nippa and can help contribute to the recognition of him with an appropriate park, if the council agrees in a month’s time or so.”

Mr Stewart said the park would be formally named after an ongoing process of consultation with Indigenous elders.

“We thought it was appropriate to go with that recommendation from the elders, and we’ve sought further comment from the elders to confirm that that name is suitable,” he said.

The park is likely to be named Boringa or Borongit Park, but the exact spelling is still yet to be confirmed pending further consultation with local elders.