Berninneit, the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre
By Catherine Watson
BERNINNEIT … get used to saying and hearing it because we’re going to be using it a lot.
Following a public vote, Berninneit (pronounced burn-eh-neet and meaning “gather together”) has been endorsed as the First Nations name for the new Cowes cultural centre which is scheduled to open late this year.
The council will now submit the name to the State Government’s Registrar of Geographic Names for consideration and inclusion in Vicnames.
BERNINNEIT … get used to saying and hearing it because we’re going to be using it a lot.
Following a public vote, Berninneit (pronounced burn-eh-neet and meaning “gather together”) has been endorsed as the First Nations name for the new Cowes cultural centre which is scheduled to open late this year.
The council will now submit the name to the State Government’s Registrar of Geographic Names for consideration and inclusion in Vicnames.
Berninneit
Meaning: Gather Together
Pronunciation: burn-eh-neet
Meaning: Gather Together
Pronunciation: burn-eh-neet
Of 731 people who voted in the council poll, 65 per cent favoured Berninneit, though there was also a large No vote.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan said he was proud the community had responded in large numbers to the opportunity to name the landmark cultural centre and celebrate the First Nations history.
“The overwhelming feedback was that people wanted to honour our First Nations people and that their presence will be at the heart of this community asset.
“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 council followed the official naming process outlined by Geographical Place Names Act 1998 which encourages the acknowledgment of the extensive history and heritage associated with First Nations communities.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan said he was proud the community had responded in large numbers to the opportunity to name the landmark cultural centre and celebrate the First Nations history.
“The overwhelming feedback was that people wanted to honour our First Nations people and that their presence will be at the heart of this community asset.
“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 council followed the official naming process outlined by Geographical Place Names Act 1998 which encourages the acknowledgment of the extensive history and heritage associated with First Nations communities.
The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation provided Council with four naming options on the proviso that no other names were to be considered.
But the process was not without controversy, with claims the names were meaningless and were not in the local Boon Wurrung language.
While the Bunurong Land Council is the registered Aboriginal corporation for a vast area including Bass Coast, members of the Boon Wurrung people have a current case in the Federal Court seeking native title for the area.
Phillip Island Progress Association’s ‘Island Voice’ carried out an alternative survey in which 34 per cent voted for Phillip Island Cultural Centre and 20 per cent voted for Millowl/Phillip Island Cultural Centre.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, Cr Ron Bauer attempted to reopen the debate but received no support from his fellow councillors for revisiting the naming process.
But the process was not without controversy, with claims the names were meaningless and were not in the local Boon Wurrung language.
While the Bunurong Land Council is the registered Aboriginal corporation for a vast area including Bass Coast, members of the Boon Wurrung people have a current case in the Federal Court seeking native title for the area.
Phillip Island Progress Association’s ‘Island Voice’ carried out an alternative survey in which 34 per cent voted for Phillip Island Cultural Centre and 20 per cent voted for Millowl/Phillip Island Cultural Centre.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, Cr Ron Bauer attempted to reopen the debate but received no support from his fellow councillors for revisiting the naming process.