Deakin University won’t change name despite ‘complex’ Alfred Deakin legacy

Deakin University will not change its name, but acknowledged the complex legacy of its namesake. HAVE YOUR SAY

Professor Mark Rose has confirmed Deakin will not change its name despite acknowledging the complexities around the legacy of its namesake, a chief architect of the White Australia policy.

Deakin University has confirmed it will not change its name but acknowledged the complex legacy of its namesake, a chief architect of the White Australia policy.

The university, which has two campuses in Geelong, said on Monday the decision followed long-term consultation with Aboriginal leaders, students and community members.

Deputy vice-chancellor Mark Rose, said following the discussions it was evident that neither the communities or the university had an appetite for a name change, provided that the institution committed to truth-telling in reconciliation.

“(Alfred Deakin’s) family was prepared to support the blackfellas in changing the name but we came to a surprising realisation,” Professor Rose said.

Alfred Deakin, second prime minister of Australia.

Prof Rose said they had felt it was more important to work on practical changes than “virtue signal” by changing a name.

As an Indigenous man, Prof Rose leads the development of Deakin’s Indigenous Strategy 2023-2028.

The process is designed to “examine” the university with a focus on the “complex” legacy of Mr Deakin, Australia’s second prime minister and one of the key architects of the federation, the White Australia Party and Aboriginal Protection Amendment Act.

The White Australia policy aimed to limit non-white immigration to Australia.

The Aboriginal Protection Amendment Act enabled strong colonial control of Indigenous lives.

“Within the spirit of ‘truth-telling’ … the university set to examine itself, particularly around the legacy of its namesake, Alfred Deakin,” Prof Rose said.

“Peeling away emotion and sentiment the group went to the heart of the issue with honesty and respect, arriving at a consensus that there is significant differentiation between Alfred Deakin the man and the university.”

Last year the university released a Tanderrum – a Kulin nation term meaning “agreement”, or “‘giving right of passage” – addressing this controversial legacy of Mr Deakin, in an effort to reject any “colluding with the darkness of history”.

“Through this Tanderrum, both parties agree to reject the proposition to change the name of the university and jointly commit to truth-telling and elevating the understanding and acknowledgment of the full history of our country,” it reads.

“The parties to this Tanderrum, underpinned by mutual respect for each other and the future generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, have arrived at a position that accounts for the past and garners the future.

“We should all be drawn towards the light of the future.”

The topic was also the focus of a series of “Alfred Deakin legacy” conversations at the university last year, led by senior Indigenous leaders and including members of Mr Deakin’s family.

The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Deakin University won’t change name despite ‘complex’ Alfred Deakin legacy