At the recent Geographic Names Victoria awards, Brimbank City Council was selected for a Geographic Naming Award for excellence in the re-naming of a local park to yaluk barring, meaning River Trail in the Woi-wurrung language.
A much-loved green space in Melbourne’s far north west, yaluk barring park is rich with cultural significance for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, with many Aboriginal archaeological places within the park.
The park is 231 hectares and includes grasslands and river valleys, and is where Jackson Creek, Deep Creek and the Maribyrnong River meet.
“This award recognises our commitment and work in honouring the importance of this beautiful park to the Traditional Custodians,” said Mayor Cr Thuy Dang.
“I would like to thank the Wurundjeri Elders for their guidance, wisdom and generosity in helping us to rename this place to yaluk barring park.”
When searching for a name, Brimbank Council consulted the community on a preferred new name from a list provided by Wurundjeri, and a majority of 64.4% supported the Woi-wurrung name, ‘yaluk barring park’.
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation is pleased with this outcome as it reflects the involvement and collaboration with Council on the renaming process.
The renaming of Sydenham Park follows a Notice of Motion at the July 2022 Council Meeting to change the park’s name to an appropriate Aboriginal name suggested by local Aboriginal people.
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