By BRIDGET SCOTT
THE new multi-million dollar facility for the City of Casey had its official sod turn and naming on Monday, with around 100 guests present to witness the occasion.
The ground of the Casey Cultural Precinct, now known as ‘Bunjil’, was officially broken by City of Casey Mayor Mick Morland as his fellow councillors and others watched on.
Dean Stewart officially welcomed everyone to the traditional land of the Indigenous tribes, and explained the meaning behind the new name of the centre. Bunjil, (or Eaglehawk) in Australian Aboriginal mythology is a great creator, cultural hero and ancestral being.
Following this Cr Morland spoke about the importance of the 17.4 million dollar project which is scheduled to open in 2017.
“This is the largest ever infrastructure planned for the City of Casey,” he said.
“It’s also a first for local government.”
Councillor Morland was also the Mayor when Casey Arc was officially opened 14 years ago.
This new project has now taken its place in terms of the largest scale building to be designed in the City of Casey.
“It will be a centre piece for residents,” Cr Morland said.
The precinct will feature an 800-seat regional theatre, multi-purpose exhibition space, regional art gallery, community library, civic centre and council offices, community plaza and a regional schools centre for the arts.
Three City of Casey residents were called to the stage to help unveil the name, a title chosen based on their three submissions for the naming competition.
Robin Dzedins, Nino Occhietti and June Talbert each incorporated Bunjil in to their submission, and said they found that this was fitting and reflective of the building’s design.
Councillor Morland said this would be an ideal meeting place for both residents and tourists.
“It will be somewhere where everyone feels welcome,” he said.
