Community News

THE City of Greater Geelong council have approved the naming of a new community facility as ‘Poa Banyal Mount Duneed Community Hub’ in recognition of the region’s Aboriginal heritage.

Pronounced ‘Poah Banyool’, Poa Banyal translates to ‘Grassy Hill’ and is now the third of the City’s new child and family centres that will use a local Wadawurrung language in its name.

The name – Poa Banyal Mount Duneed Community Hub – has been created with, agreed upon and approved by traditional landowners from Wathaurong Aboriginal Corporation, while the wider community also had their say on the names of the centre via the City’s community engagement process during June and July 2022.

The new facility, which will be located at 110-122 Unity Drive in Mount Duneed, will accommodate a range of early years and family services, including sessional kindergarten, maternal and child health, family support consulting rooms and flexible community spaces for use.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Peter Murrihy said Council was proud to honour the region’s Aboriginal heritage upon the naming of the new Mount Duneed building.

“Incorporating the Wadawurrung language into the naming of our community buildings promotes education of Aboriginal history and culture within Council and across the community,” Mayor Murrihy said.

“It is important Indigenous languages are protected, and by encouraging children to learn Wadawurrung words, we help to keep the language alive and continue our work towards building an inclusive, diverse and socially connected community.”

Kardinia Ward Councillor Ron Nelson said the new community facilities were another valuable addition to Geelong’s south.

“The areas of Armstrong Creek and Mount Duneed are undergoing rapid growth, and this new facility will provide vital services for families with young children,” Cr Nelson said.

“Having so many family services under one roof, right next to the Mirripoa Primary School, means that we are making it as easy as we can for families to access services in a streamlined way.

“The hub will also provide valuable multipurpose spaces for community groups to meet and will complement the nearby community shed.”

The hub is jointly funded by the Council ($10.7 million) and the Victorian Government ($2.25 million). The City will run a tender process for an external provider to operate the kindergarten and community spaces.

The building is expected to begin to be activated for the community in the second half of 2023.

Originally published in the Surf Coast Times 01/09/2022.