Move to rename Northcote’s Batman Park after Jessie ‘Gumbri’ Hunter angers Aboriginal elder

AN Aboriginal elder is furious a Melbourne council is pushing ahead to rename a Northcote’s Batman Park after his late mother, saying its policies don’t align with what his mother believed in.

AN Aboriginal elder is furious that a council is pushing ahead to rename a Northcote park after his late mother.

Darebin council has voted to change the name of Batman Park to Gumbri Park to honour Wurundjeri elder Jessie Hunter, also known as Gumbri.

The move is part of a wider campaign to strip the name of Melbourne pioneer John Batman from public places “in the spirit of reconciliation”.

CITY OF DAREBIN MOVES TO RENAME HISTORIC PARK

Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter is unhappy with Darebin Council over the renaming of Batman Park.

However, Ms Hunter’s son, Ian, said that he and his brothers had not been consulted and they disagreed with it.

“We don’t want our mum’s name used in this way. Darebin has policies that don’t align with what we and our mother believe in,” he said.

Mr Hunter said that any name change for the park should retain Batman but include the name of an indigenous elder from the 19th century. He will consider legal action if Darebin proceeds.

DAREBIN COUNCIL RENAMES BATMAN PARK

DAREBIN VOTES TO DUMP AUSTRALIA DAY

Darebin director of community development Katrina Knox said that Gumbri was suggested by Ms Hunter’s grandson Colin Hunter Jr, a Wurundjeri elder who is also a member of the tribal council. “Of the three names, Gumbri was the clear favourite of the wider community and was endorsed to be taken forward in the renaming process,” she said.

Melbourne pioneer John Batman signing a treaty with local Aboriginal people.

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