By Gabriella Payne
Three new child and family centres in Officer have been officially named, with their new titles paying homage to the traditional owners of the land on which they sit.
The Cardinia Shire Council was pleased to announce the three new centre names, all of which are derived from the Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung languages, and were decided on after extensive consultation with the local community, historical groups and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation is the peak body for the traditional owners of the Cardinia Shire, and the names chosen all have local and cultural symbolism behind them.
The three new names for the centres are Konewark (previously Rix Road), Kurmboon (previously Timbertop) and Toun-nun (previously Brunt Road).
In the Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung languages, Konewark means ‘open’, Kurmboon means ‘tree blossom’ and Toun-nun means ‘warm’ – all very fitting names for the new child and family centres.
Cardinia Shire Council’s newly appointed Mayor, Jeff Springfield, said that it was great to see these new centres given Indigenous names, as it was important to pay respect to our first nations people.
“Naming our facilities with reference and respect to the local languages Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung is an important step towards honouring the rich cultural heritage of the shire and reconciliation,” Cr Springfield said.
Cardinia Shire is located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and the name ‘Cardinia’ itself is derived from the Boonwurrung or Wadawurrung word ‘Kar-din-yarr’ meaning ‘look to the rising sun’ or ‘close to the sunrise’.
Cardinia Shire Council began the process of researching names for the centres in January 2021, reaching out to the local community including historical and community groups as well as the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Both Konewark (located at 7 Campenalla Ave, Officer) and Kurmboon (located at 297 Pink Hill Boulevard, Officer) are expected to officially open at some point in 2022, while Toun-nun (46 Fairweather Parade, Officer) is expected to be opened a few years later, in 2024.
For more information about the new child and family centres, visit council’s major projects website at cardinia.vic.gov.au/majorprojects or call the community infrastructure and service planning team on 1300 787 624.
