The Name "Yass"

The Sydney Morning

23 June 1949

Sir,

The earliest local name for Yass was "Yar," variously spelt by eaily writers. Captain Charles Sturt between 1829 and 1832 says "Yhar or Yas Plains;" Dr. bland (1837) says Yarrh or Yass; Bennett, writing in 1832, says "Yas or according to aboriginal pronunciation Yah Plains." Rusden says "near Yass, improperly so called for the native name is 'Yairh'." Wells says: "Yass River, called by the natives 'Yhar'."

Mary E. J. Yeo. Yass.