Mornington Peninsula sites with ‘offensive’ names will be changed to honour indigenous Australians
The names of three Mornington Peninsula sites which feature language “no longer appropriate” and “derogatory” will be changed. These are the sites being renamed.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The names of a Mornington Peninsula road, preschool and public park considered offensive to Aboriginals will be changed to instead honour indigenous Australians.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council plans to rename Blacks Camp Rd, Black Camp Pre-school and Blacks Camp Reserve in Somerville.
It has proposed use of Aboriginal language to rename the road, park and preschool and seek community feedback before making the changes.
A report found the existing names were “derogatory’’ and “offensive’’ to “Traditional Custodians of the Mornington Peninsula, the Bunurong Land Council and People of Aboriginal heritage’’.
“In addition, some non-Aboriginal local residents and users of the Shire
facilities on Blacks Camp Road have voiced concerns that the name is inappropriate,’’ it said.
“This presents an opportunity to pay respect to First Nations People by selecting a name that
builds recognition of the area and provides a platform for further community education.’’
Councillors voted unanimously to change the names at a meeting on Tuesday night.
“This language is no longer appropriate as it relates to a group of people by the colour of their skin,’’ the meeting was told.
The council also agreed to name a new swimming facility at Rosebud the Yawa Aquatic Centre, after the local indigenous word for “swim”, or “to swim”.
Mayor Sam Hearn said it was “a really significant’’ step towards “celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait heritage’’ in the region.
Indigenous names being considered for the preschool include Turrum, meaning She-oak, Beenap (Manna Gum) and Tillerkite (play).
Short-listed indigenous names for the park and road are Beck Beak (earth),
Burinyong Balug or Mayone Balug (Bunurong Clan) and Ngooraak (mountain).
The Surf Coast Shire this week decided to name a major new multipurpose indoor sports centre in Torquay the Wurdi Baierr Stadium, meaning big gathering place.
An archaeological investigation of Blacks Camp Rd in 2004 found more than 200 artefacts and four Aboriginal sites since registered with Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
“It is likely that the road, reserve and kindergarten were named due to some knowledge of the
habitation of this area by Aboriginal People,’’ the council report said.
MORE NEWS:
WHERE TO FIND FOOTY-THEMED FACE MASKS
SECRET ECONOMIC WIN OF CORONAVIRUS CRISIS