One of these names is about to become very familiar to us as the name of the new
Cowes Cultural and Community Centre.
Cowes Cultural and Community Centre.
By Catherine Watson
THE community has been asked to choose one of four names in the local Boon Wurrung language for the new Cowes cultural centre. The names were proposed by the Bunurong Land Council after a request from Bass Coast Shire Council.
Voting on the names is now open at Engage Bass Coast. Participants are asked to select their preference, indicate why it resonates with them, and invited to make comments, suggestions and objections. The poll will be open until June 19.
The preferred name will be formally endorsed by the council before being submitted to Geographical Names Victoria for official endorsement.
THE community has been asked to choose one of four names in the local Boon Wurrung language for the new Cowes cultural centre. The names were proposed by the Bunurong Land Council after a request from Bass Coast Shire Council.
Voting on the names is now open at Engage Bass Coast. Participants are asked to select their preference, indicate why it resonates with them, and invited to make comments, suggestions and objections. The poll will be open until June 19.
The preferred name will be formally endorsed by the council before being submitted to Geographical Names Victoria for official endorsement.
Barmewoon
Meaning: Only My Strength
Pronunciation: barm-eh-woon
Meaning: Only My Strength
Pronunciation: barm-eh-woon
Mogarmarlarly Murk
Meaning: Lead Me
Pronunciation: mogga-ma-lar-lee merk
Meaning: Lead Me
Pronunciation: mogga-ma-lar-lee merk
Berninneit
Meaning: Gather Together
Pronunciation: burn-eh-neet
Meaning: Gather Together
Pronunciation: burn-eh-neet
Kummargee
Meaning: Rise Up
Pronunciation: kumm-ar-jee
Meaning: Rise Up
Pronunciation: kumm-ar-jee
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the naming process recognised the unique role of traditional owners, and was appropriate for a significant cultural space. “The naming of public buildings with First Nations language is a highly visible act of reconciliation and an opportunity to acknowledge First Nations communities in a meaningful and lasting way.”
The public consultation plan was passed unanimously at Wednesday’s council meeting, but there was also an acknowledgement by a couple of councillors that not everyone in the community would be happy with the naming process.
Cr David Rooks said the naming was a milestone in the Bass Coast community’s reconciliation journey, mirroring the nationwide journey. “Our 2021 community vision states ‘We live proudly on Bunurong country and build on learnings from our first people and their knowledge’.
“When you’re proud of something you like to share the story with others … I think of the three million people who visit Phillip Island each year and how those visitors will see our island and people.
“Names like Uluru and Kata Tjuta represent our first peoples. By naming our cultural centre with a name offered by the Bunurong our community demonstrates an ongoing respectful relationship with our First Nations people.
The public consultation plan was passed unanimously at Wednesday’s council meeting, but there was also an acknowledgement by a couple of councillors that not everyone in the community would be happy with the naming process.
Cr David Rooks said the naming was a milestone in the Bass Coast community’s reconciliation journey, mirroring the nationwide journey. “Our 2021 community vision states ‘We live proudly on Bunurong country and build on learnings from our first people and their knowledge’.
“When you’re proud of something you like to share the story with others … I think of the three million people who visit Phillip Island each year and how those visitors will see our island and people.
“Names like Uluru and Kata Tjuta represent our first peoples. By naming our cultural centre with a name offered by the Bunurong our community demonstrates an ongoing respectful relationship with our First Nations people.
| “Furthermore it aligns with the national reconciliation and allows our community to proudly tell its story to the millions of visitors.” Cr Leticia Laing acknowledged some believed the community should have been able to choose from wider options. “I think when there has been a genuine engagement with the traditional owners you can’t ignore that and potentially culturally appropriate the names you like as suggestions when the traditional owners have proposed those. | Naming conventions The Geographical Place Names Act 1998 encourages acknowledgment of the history and heritage associated with First Nations communities. It is a condition of the Bunurong Land Council that any language options provided to councils are not offered as a choice against other language options. This is consistent with current practice where traditional owners are engaged. |
“We’re talking about the oldest continuous living culture in the world. It would be disappointing if our cultural centre didn’t recognise that.
“Using these Bunurong names supports the regeneration of the language in our community and in the broader conversations we can have about identity and First Nations people.”
Cr Clare Le Serve said the naming was an extension of principles expressed in the council’s
acknowledgement of country of the traditional owner. “This facility is intergenerational, state of the art and environmentally sustainable. We should be known as a progressive council that can deliver on recognition of the traditional owners of the land it sits on.”
Cr Bruce Kent said while he supported the outcome, he was disappointed the community had not been consulted at an earlier stage. “I believe the community have been thrown into the position of making a decision from four names instead of taking that one step back where they can say yes, let’s approach the Bunurong Land Council.
“We’d end up at the same point but I just feel we’ve missed a good opportunity for the community to step up and show their strength for reconciliation. That’s something to consider for the future.”
The cultural and community centre is expected to open towards the end of 2023.
“Using these Bunurong names supports the regeneration of the language in our community and in the broader conversations we can have about identity and First Nations people.”
Cr Clare Le Serve said the naming was an extension of principles expressed in the council’s
acknowledgement of country of the traditional owner. “This facility is intergenerational, state of the art and environmentally sustainable. We should be known as a progressive council that can deliver on recognition of the traditional owners of the land it sits on.”
Cr Bruce Kent said while he supported the outcome, he was disappointed the community had not been consulted at an earlier stage. “I believe the community have been thrown into the position of making a decision from four names instead of taking that one step back where they can say yes, let’s approach the Bunurong Land Council.
“We’d end up at the same point but I just feel we’ve missed a good opportunity for the community to step up and show their strength for reconciliation. That’s something to consider for the future.”
The cultural and community centre is expected to open towards the end of 2023.