Tara Murray
Brimbank council’s signature project will be known as the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre.
The council last week voted to change the name of the state-of-the-art health and wellbeing facility to the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, following community consultation.
The centre, which replaces the former St Albans Leisure Centre, includes a 50-metre swimming pool, two massive water slides, wellness centre and community program room.
The new name was the preferred option of several the council took to the community earlier this year.
Other names previously considered by the council included Marin Balluk Centre, Wominjeka Centre and Brimbank Durra.
The council received five submissions during community consultation, including one in support of the name.
One submitter was concerned about what the name would represent when shortened, another believed the council had missed an opportunity to create a name that is more appealing linked to community sport, health fitness and wellbeing.
Two submitters said they believed that the name should incorporate the local indigenous community.
“I believe the name of the centre should contain a word that is from the Woi Wurrong language in consultation with the Wirrundjeri land council in order to have a more active presence of Aboriginal culture in the municipality, which is very lacking,” one said.
The other said, “When two of the three suggested names had reference to our indigenous history it is offensive to pick the boring bland descriptive name rather than something that had historical meaning and could pave the way for true reconciliation in Brimbank.
“Particularly when members of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation were on the facility advisory naming committee, it is absolutely shameless, to invite them onto the committee as a ‘tick the box’ activity, and then ignore the suggestions that were made.”
Councillor Virgina Tachos, who voted against the centre being known as Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, supported incorporating the area’s rich Indigenous history in the name.
Despite Cr Tachos objection, the council passed the motion to rename the facility Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre
The council will now lodge the name with the Registrar of Geographic Names for registration and gazettal.
The centre is currently under construction and expected to be completed in the first half of next year.
