Brimbank council has won a Geographic Naming Award for excellence in the re-naming of a local park to yaluk barring, meaning River Trail in the Woi-wurrung language.
The award was announced at the Geographic Names Victoria awards which took place late October.
Brimbank mayor Thuy Dang said the award recognises council’s commitment and work in honouring the importance of the park to the Traditional Custodians.
“I would like to thank the Wurundjeri Elders for their guidance, wisdom and generosity in helping us to rename this place to yaluk barring park,” Cr Dang said.
Brimbank council consulted the community on a preferred new name from a list provided by Wurundjeri, and a majority of 64.4 per cent supported the Woi-wurrung name, ‘yaluk barring park’.
Council said the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation is pleased with this outcome as it reflects the involvement and collaboration with council on the renaming process.
The renaming of Sydenham Park follows a notice of motion at the July 2022 council meeting to change the park’s name to an appropriate Aboriginal name suggested by local Aboriginal people.
The 231-hectare park is rich with cultural significance for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, with many Aboriginal archaeological places located within the park.
The park includes grasslands and river valleys, and is where Jackson Creek, Deep Creek and the Maribyrnong River meet.
