Thornbury: Darebin Council picks Indigenous term for ‘woman leader’ to name new stadium

A council in Melbourne’s inner north is giving its new stadium an Indigenous name focusing on female leadership. But not everyone is happy. VOTE IN OUR POLL.

Thornbury's new indoor sports stadium will be called Narrandjeri Stadium, which means ‘women leader’ in Woi Wurrang language. Picture: Darebin Council/Brand Architects.

A council has come under fire for only considering Indigenous names for a $26 million sports stadium.

Darebin Council also copped flack for choosing for the name — Narrandjeri Stadium — which means ‘Woman Leader’ in the Woi Wurrang language for not being gender neutral at the development at John Cain Memorial Park.

It was the clear winner of a poll of nearly 200 votes which had two other Indigenous options, which translated to ‘Little Stars’ and ‘Strong Girls’.

Darebin has a policy where it names 50 per cent of new public open spaces in consultation with the Wurundjeri Council, focusing on significant indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people, figures, symbols or items.

The $26m Narrandjeri Stadium in Thornbury is expected to be finished in November. Picture: Darebin Council/Brand Architects.

Six people were against the name change, with three saying they preferred a gender-neutral naming option or a name that was easier to pronounce

Another objector suggested it be named after former Northcote state Labor MP Fiona Richardson, who advocated for female sport and the stadium.

Institute Of Public Affairs spokeswoman Dr Bella d’Abrera condemned the council for only considering Indigenous names for the stadium.

“This is not what we can call true diversity,” she said.

“This is the same activist council which stopped recognising January 26 as Australia Day and decided that it marked the beginning of the ‘British invasion.’

“The members of Darebin Council are clearly ashamed of the modern state of Australia.”

The $26 million stadium will contain four indoor courts for netball, basketball, badminton, volleyball and roller derby.

An extra $9 million is being spent on traffic works on Darebin Rd, landscaping and the creation of four outdoor netball courts.

The $35 million project’s budget has blown out by $10 million since it was first announced in 2017.

Darebin Mayor Lina Messina said the council had a commitment to celebrate the area’s culture and heritage, and wanted the stadium to boost local female sport participation rates when it is finished in November.

“There is a significant difference in sports participation rates for men and women, and council will use this stadium to help address the inequity by focusing on women and girls’ participation,” she said.

Wurundjeri Council chief executive Alex Parmington was contacted for comment.