Community given say on Kinder name

Port Phillip Council has invited the public to help name the new kindergarten on Ferrars St, Southbank.

Opening in 2018, the kindergarten will be located on the fifth floor of the new South Melbourne Ferrars St Primary School (interim name) in Southbank.

The public has four options to vote on for the new name, each of which is an indigenous term from the Boon Wurrung language that has been chosen after consultation with the Boon Wurrung Foundation.

The options are “bubup baany” (water babies), “barring djinang” (little footsteps), “bubup barrbunin” (happy children), and “gurnbak wyeebo” (little fishes).

Acting Mayor Katherine Copsey said the four options for Council’s Ferrars Street Long Day Care Kindergarten (interim name) followed consultation with the Boon Wurrung Foundation.

“One of the key actions in Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan (2017-19) is to involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the naming of Fishermans Bend roads, parks and buildings in the Boon Wurrung language,” Cr Copsey said.

The naming process by Port Phillip Council is in stark contrast to the state government’s actions in choosing a name for the primary school.

As reported exclusively in Southbank Local News last month, the government is attempting to name the school South Melbourne Primary School despite it being located in Southbank.

Community feedback for the kindergarten name closed on November 1. The name will be announced in the new year.

Parents can register their interest in the kindergarten by contacting council’s Children’s Services Waiting List on 9209 6360.