Victorian Premier’s promise to name hospital after Queen Elizabeth falls flat

In the wake of the Queen’s death, Victoria’s Andrews Labor Government came up with a plan to honour her. But it has not gone down well with many.

A decision by the Daniel Andrews-led Labor Government in Victoria to rename Maroondah Hospital after the late Queen Elizabeth has been labelled “tone deaf”.

The Premier on Sunday announced that if re-elected in November he will redevelop, expand and rename the hospital in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs “in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II” and “as a mark of respect to her unwavering commitment to healthcare and our community”.

“The Queen was a longstanding supporter of Victoria’s healthcare system,” the Premier said in a statement.

The pledge for an $850 million upgrade would include two six-storey in-patient towers housing more than 200 extra beds, a new emergency department and new operating threatres.

The upgrade has been warmly received but many Victorians are upset about changing the name because Maroondah is an Aboriginal-derived name meaning “throwing leaves”.

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe wrote that the move was “not what Treaty looks like, Dan”.

“Maroondah is a Woiwurrung word meaning leaf, which symbolises Maroondah’s green environment. What an insult to now colonise us, again.”

Dr Neela Janakiramanan, a Melbourne-based hand and wrist surgeon, responded to the news by writing: “Maroondah Hospital is the only hospital I can think of in Victoria with an Aboriginal name.

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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wants to rename Maroondah Hospital “Queen Elizabeth II Hospital”. Picture NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“Inclusive healthcare starts from the signage on. The funding and expansion is much needed, but I hope such a beloved and inclusive name can remain.”

Noongah woman and author Claire Coleman wrote that “NO to Maroondah Hospital renamed Queen Elizabeth Hospital”.

She shared a change.org petition that as of Monday morning had been signed by more than 1600 people.

The petition explains why organisers are against changing the name “especially at this time, when the state of Victoria is undergoing the treaty process with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria”.

“The Victorian government proposing to change the name from a locally associated Aboriginal derived word (with the first nations heritage) into replacing it with the name Queen Elizabeth II and all the colonialist historical contexts/matters that such move brings.

“This is a very regressive move and hinders building meaningful goodwill for genuine reconciliation with first nations people, on the current road to treaty and truth telling that is occurring.”

This is not what Treaty looks like, Dan. Maroondah is a Woiwurrung word meaning leaf, which symbolises Maroondah’s green environment. What an insult to now colonise us, again. https://t.co/sffcOn5ESA

— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) September 18, 2022

Maroondah Hospital is the only hospital I can think of in Victoria with an Aboriginal name. Inclusive healthcare starts from the signage on.

The funding and expansion is much needed, but I hope such a beloved and inclusive name can remain. https://t.co/afVOY9eNea

— Dr Neela Janakiramanan (@NeelaJan) September 18, 2022

Some thoughts on the new name. https://t.co/NFn9uXnqxnpic.twitter.com/nPoHxpLh3p

— Marcus Stewart (@marcusbstewart) September 19, 2022

Others on social media shared similar views.

“Surely this decision is on the ‘wrong side’ of history and ‘tone deaf’,” Claire Smith wrote on Twitter.

“Bad move,” another wrote, noting that there are already hospitals in Brisbane and Adelaide named after Queen Elizabeth.

“Dan this is not a good idea,” another person wrote.

“Maroondah is a Woi Wurrung name meaning ‘throwing leaf’ that symbolises the green environment. Please don’t rename.”

Victoria’s Deputy Liberal Leader David Southwick has another issue with the proposal. He noted that Mr Andrews promised to redevelop the Maroondah Hospital emergency department in 2018.

“In Nov 2018, Andrews promised a new Maroondah Hospital emergency department that never happened,” he wrote.

“Prior to the last election he promised a new Melton Hospital, Geelong Women’s and Children’s Hospital & 10 community hospitals. 4 years on and more empty promises.”

In Nov 2018, Andrews promised a new Maroondah Hospital emergency department that never happened.

Prior to the last Election he promised a new Melton Hospital, Geelong Women’s and Children’s Hospital & 10 community hospitals.
 
4 years on and more empty promises. #Springst

— David Southwick MP (@SouthwickMP) September 18, 2022

In making the announcement on Sunday, the Andrews Government said the new Queen Elizabeth II Hospital will open in stages from 2029.

“Queen Elizabeth II holds a special place in the hearts of Victorians,” he said.

“A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will rebuild and expand the Maroondah Hospital before renaming it in Her Majesty’s honour.

“Only Labor is doing what matters — investing in hospitals, training and hiring thousands of nurses and paramedics and making it free to study nursing.”

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said: “The Queen Elizabeth II Hospital will provide the modern facilities our hardworking nurses, midwives and doctors need to provide the very best care for families in the growing eastern suburbs.

“We’ve made it free to study nursing and midwifery, creating a pipeline of future healthcare workers – so when the new Queen Elizabeth II Hospital opens from 2029, we’ll have the workforce we need ready to go.”

What do you think of the proposal? Continue the conversation: Email [e-mail] | Twitter: @ro_smith