Hannah Hammoud
Brimbank council has shortlisted three proposed Traditional Owner names for the renaming of Sydenham Park in Keilor North.
At the council meeting in July last year, council considered a notice of motion raised by Cr Bruce Lancashire on changing the name of Sydenham Park to an appropriate Aboriginal name suggested by local Aboriginal groups.
At the most recent council meeting on October 17, council revealed three shortlisted names that were received from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
One of the names for consideration is ‘Yaluk barring Park’, meaning river trail in the Woi-wurrung language. The name represents the trails people walk along and near the Maribyrnong River.
The second name is ‘Yerrin taydo Park’, meaning bush walk in the Woi-wurrung language and represents the paths that will run through the parks that people will walk through connecting people to ‘Bundjil’ – or mother earth.
The third name for consideration is ‘Wurrwu baan Park’, meaning running water in the Woiwurrung language. The name represents the flow of water in Kororoit and Jackson creeks in the north of the park.
Community consultation on the three recommended Traditional Owner names will be open from November 1 until November 30.
Community members will be able to provide feedback on the renaming proposal, including through written submissions from council’s “Your Say Brimbank” online platform.
Cr Virginia Tachos said each of the proposed names have a great authenticity and meaning behind them.
“I think that it’s only appropriate if you walk through Sydenham Park that you certainly feel that there is something quite amazing about this place, that it needs a name that reflects it,” she said.
In the report presented to council, officers noted that it is ‘foreseen’ that community members may express concern regarding the renaming of Sydenham Park to a name with an unfamiliar pronunciation. However the report cited section 7.3.6 of Victoria’s Naming Rules which states that when taking community feedback on Traditional Owner naming into account, council should consider that although the name might seem initially complex, over time it will become familiar and easy to use.
Following community consultation, a report will be presented to council on the consultation process undertaken and submissions received for council’s consideration.
