Mildura sports hub name finally revealed

Mildura’s controversial new $44 million sports hub has finally been named. So what’s it called?

Mildura’s new sports precinct includes an oval capable of hosting AFL pre-season games and an indoor stadium with six courts. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

A new $44 million sports hub for Victoria’s north-west has been named the Mildura Sporting Precinct.

Mildura Rural City Council made the controversial decision on Wednesday night, rejecting the only other short-listed option, Marngrook Sporting Precinct.

A local Aboriginal organisation had pushed for the Marngrook name to recognise the region’s football history.

While some councillors preferred that option, community consultation strongly favoured Mildura.

Cr Liam Wood said council must “echo” the views of the community but the commitment to investigate the region’s Indigenous history was important.

Almost 80 per cent of people surveyed felt “positive” about the name being Mildura Sporting Precinct.

Only 19 per cent preferred Marngrook Sporting Precinct.

One submission in favour of Marngrook said the region would regret choosing Mildura.

“It’s about time that Australia began acknowledging its Indigenous, rich culture,” the submission said.

“We are so lucky to be living among the longest living Indigenous peoples in the world.

“This is not an us vs them issue anymore. This is empowering the culture that all Australians get to be proud about and should be proud about.”

Another submission said the community needed to start recognising its Aboriginal heritage.

A submission in favour of Mildura said for visiting sporting organisations, “having a clear name would help with locating and recognising the precinct”.

Another said it would advertise Mildura to a national audience.

“Having ‘Mildura’ in the name will remind people of the location and will have lasting effect on people who hear the name,” the submission said.

Marngrook is from the Gunditjmara language, located in Victoria’s south west, and means “game ball”.

An 1857 sketch by German explorer William Blandowski showcased Aboriginal people playing a ball game near Merbein, reported to be one of the earliest images to capture Australian football.

Marngrook was submitted by the First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation and consent was obtained from the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation.

A poll by The Mildura News on Facebook, which attracted almost 1300 responses, revealed a 60-40 split in favour of the Mildura Sporting Precinct option.

To date the venue has been known as Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct.

The centre includes a six-court indoor stadium, netball courts and an oval capable of hosting AFL pre-season games.

South Mildura Sporting Club and the Mildura Heat basketball teams are expected to move into the facility.

Indoor games were expected to start in coming months, while the oval will be ready in time for next season.

On Wednesday night council also committed to exploring co-naming of place names in the municipality as well as a cultural strategy that will focus on developing a “deep understanding” of Mildura’s past, present and future.

Follow The Mildura News on Facebook to keep up to date with other local stories