The Victorian Government has opened nominations for the Remember a Local – Name a Place campaign, calling on Victorians to commemorate remarkable local women.
The campaign, by Geographic Names Victoria, seeks to recognise outstanding and valued women in the community by naming new roads and places after them.
It’s expected that over the next three years more than 6,000 new places including new streets, suburbs, schools, parks, community facilities, and buildings will need to be named as Victoria’s cities, suburbs, towns and regions continue to grow
A sample of more than 5,000 place and roads names across the state found that 1,400 were named after men, while only around 200 were named after women – this campaign aims to ensure that public spaces better reflect the rich diversity and history of Victoria’s community.
Nominations are open for women who have made a significant impact to the state or their community in areas like healthcare, science, the arts or public service to honour women like Dr Ethel Mary Vaughan Cowan.
Cowan Lane in Carlton is named after Dr Cowan, who was the first female doctor at the Melbourne Free Hospital for Sick Children, now known as the Royal Children’s Hospital, who set a precedent for future female doctors in Victoria.
The campaign is also open to nominations of remarkable Victorians from underrepresented groups, including First Nations, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and culturally diverse communities.
The initiative is part of the Victorian Government’s efforts to ensure 70 per cent of all new commemorative place names are named after women as part of its Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan 2023–2027.
Victorian Minister for Planning and Suburbs, Sonya Kilkenny, said that place names send a message about the contributions communities value and that for too long Victoria has not recognised the incredible women who have helped shape the state.
“We’re asking Victorians to help us change this for the better,” Minister Kilkenny said.
“Dr Cowan is just one example of the many remarkable women whose contributions deserve to be recognised and this campaign is all about ensuring our public spaces reflect the rich diversity and history of Victoria.”
To make a nomination, fill out the naming survey at engage.vic.gov.au/name-a-place.
Image: ChameleonsEye/shutterstock.com
