Southern Peninsula Youth Hub: Indigenous names being considered
Schoolchildren have been handed the responsibility of naming a $13m youth hub on the Mornington Peninsula. See the short list of names.
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An Indigenous name is being considered for an $13m youth hub being built on the Mornington Peninsula after the local land council refused to “go up against” other languages.
The choices include Tounnin Wominjeka (warm welcome), Umarko Wominjeka (all, everyone welcome) and Kartnuk Bullito Wongonon (joy everywhere, all about).
Mornington Peninsula councillors will vote next week on endorsing the three options for the Rosebud project.
The options were provided by the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation following consultation with local primary and secondary schools, the council’s youth advisory group and youth services clients.
A series of words describing what the hub meant to young people – including safe, free, welcoming, happy and non-judgemental – were provided to the land council.
If the proposed names are endorsed by the council the youth groups and proposed users of the will pick one of the three which then be subject to wider public consultation.
Mayor Simon Brooks said the responsibility of naming the centre had been handed to the young people and services it was being built for.
“My understanding is that young people decided they wanted the hub to have an Indigenous name,” he said.
“I have no doubt that there will be some eyebrows raised in Rosebud about the Indigenous options.
“The broader community will have a chance to have their say as the process continues.”
A council report, to be tabled on Tuesday, December 19, revealed that the land council had decided it would only provide names if Aboriginal language was to be used.
“They will not provide names to go up against other languages, therefore these will be
the only three options,” the report said.
The proposed names were meant to be considered by the council on Tuesday, but the report was pulled from the agenda.
Council sources said the decision to bump the item came after some councillors expressed concerns about the length of the proposed titles.
However, Mr Brooks said the item was delayed because it hadn’t been “ticked off” by Geographic Names Victoria.
He also pointed out that if the project’s working title – Southern Peninsula Youth Hub – became the official name it would also have a lot of syllables.
The hub is being built at Olympic Park, Rosebud and is being paid for by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council state and federal governments.
It will provide a variety of services and programs including mental health, Indigenous and LGBTQI+ support as well as a drop in space for people aged 10-25.
Headspace, YSAS, Oakwood School, Peninsula Health and The Brotherhood of St. Laurence have all committed to provide services in the new building.
Work on the project began in late 2022 and it is expected to be completed in early 2024.
Headspace, YSAS, Oakwood School, Peninsula Health and The Brotherhood of St. Laurence have all committed to provide services in the new building.
