Broadmeadows Town Hall name change slammed

What’s in a name? Plenty, according to the people of Broadmeadows, who say their town hall’s new title is “demeaning” and designed to distance it from the area’s rough reputation — and they’ve even made a meme about it.

Broadmeadows resident Sheriden Tate is insulted by Hume Council’s new name for the town hall. Picture: Sarah Matray

A controversial decision to rename ‘Broadmeadows Town Hall’ to ‘Town Hall Broadmeadows’ has been slammed by community members as unnecessary and insulting.

Hume councillors voted to promote the new name change at a council meeting last year.

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Hume Mayor Carly Moore said the new name intended to “attract a wide range of functions” and create a “new, contemporary identity reflecting the state-of-the art facilities the building will soon offer to the region”.

The iconic 55-year-old building is undergoing a major $23.2 million redevelopment, due to be completed in late 2019.

The town hall is under construction. Picture: Rob Leeson

Long-time resident Sheriden Tate said the decision to put ‘Broadmeadows’ at the end of the new title was an intentional move to distance the refurbished town hall from the suburb’s rough reputation.

“I just think it is quite demeaning to the people of Broady,” she said.

“There has always been a stigma attached to Broadmeadows.

“It’s a proud working-class area and it should remain that way.”

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Others shared their opinion about the name change on Northern Leader’s Facebook page.

Debra Phippen labelled it “silly”, and suggested another name such as ‘Broadmeadows Cultural Centre’ was more appropriate given it reflected Hume’s culturally diverse population.

Some readers have even made memes mocking the town hall’s new name.

Vicky Lee said “everyone will still call it Broadmeadows Town Hall anyway”, while Heather Morris said the new name “will never change the fact that it is the Broady Town Hall with lots of great memories”.

The town hall played an important role in the early life of Broadmeadows, operating as a central destination for residents to socialise and host civic functions.

Debutante balls, political meetings, motor car expos, school concerts, festivals and public meetings have taken place at the community space since it opened in 1964.

Cr Moore said “nostalgia and community connection” drove the council to refurbish it into a modern space that will offer meeting rooms, a co-working space, conference facilities, a gallery and a large multipurpose hall.

The State Government allocated $7 million and Hume Council contributed $16.2 million to its redevelopment.

Construction began in late 2017 and is expected to be finished in mid-2019.