Future community centre’s name honours Indigenous history

A facility that will deliver essential community services to Donnybrook residents will be known as the Murnong Community Centre when it opens in the coming years.

Geographic Names Victoria has formally approved and registered the name ‘Murnong Community Centre’ for the future centre at 183 Olivine Boulevard, Donnybrook.

Murnong means ‘yam daisy’ in the Woi Wurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. The roots of murnong plants were an important traditional food source for many Aboriginal people.

The name ‘Murnong Community Centre’ was the most popular choice among respondents during the City of Whittlesea’s initial community engagement period in 2022.

A subsequent community engagement process in 2023 confirmed the name’s popularity, with the majority of respondents expressing their support.

Council’s Naming Advisory Committee considered all submissions before lodging the name ‘Murnong Community Centre’ with Geographic Names Victoria for approval.

The Murnong Community Centre, to be located in the Olivine Estate, will help meet the growing demand for three- and four-year-old kindergarten services in the area, with the inclusion of a kindergarten facility.

The Murnong Kindergarten will be integrated with the Kindergarten on School Site located next door and provide a total of 99 kindergarten spaces across three rooms.

Also offered out of the Murnong Community Centre will be maternal and child health services, a large community hall and kitchen, two meeting rooms for hire and a public community lounge with a mini-branch library.

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the future community centre would be of great benefit to residents living in the growing suburb of Donnybrook.

“The Murnong Community Centre will be a vital addition to the Donnybrook community, providing residents with access to the services they need close to home,” she said.

“That we can build this facility while honouring the rich customs of the Traditional Owners of this land through the naming process is particularly gratifying.”

Council expects construction of the centre to start in April 2024, with the facility to open in 2025.

Council’s multimillion-dollar contribution to the project is complemented by $4.5 million from the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Program, $2 million from its Growing Suburbs Fund, $709,500 from its Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and $180,000 from its Changing Places Program.

For more information, go to Murnong Community Centre webpage