By Oliver Lees
Hume councillors have endorsed a proposal to rename three conservation areas in Sunbury using Woi Wurrung language.
Last week councillors approved the commencement of a community consultation process regarding the renaming of Sunbury Fields Grassland to Darr Banneem and Fulwood Drive Reserve to Mumilam Korobine.
Council also endorsed a recommendation for a dual name proposal for Albert Road Nature Reserve to include Wuruwurrt Biik.
Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung traditional owner Kylie Spencer said the introduction of these place names would be a “massive achievement”.
“Seeing these three parks being named in the Woi Wurrung language is a massive testament to Hume council,” Ms Spencer said.
“It means I’m connected to my ancestors and to my great nan.”
Each of the proposed names refer to the features of the land.
In Woi Wurrung language, Darr Banneem means ‘spear grass’, Wururuurt Biik means ‘bushy ground’, while Mumilam Korobine means ‘western initiation ground’, in reference to its proximity to the Earth Ring Aboriginal site.
Mayor Joseph Haweil said the proposal reflected Hume’s commitment to reconciliation.
“Language, as we know, is very very important to the maintenance of identity,” Cr Haweil said.
“Reconciliation is just a word but there needs to be meaningful actions and I think hopefully in some small way that this is a meaningful action.”
