Sydenham Park is a natural reserve in Keilor North. It has environmental, geological and cultural heritage values. We want your help to rename Sydenham Park with a Traditional Custodian name to celebrate its environmental and cultural history.

Traditional Custodian languages are rooted to the land, connecting a name to a place. By changing the name we acknowledge the cultural significance of the park to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

The park’s current name also poses a public safety risk according to the Naming Rules. “Sydenham Park” is not located within the suburb of Sydenham causing confusion for:

  • emergency response
  • transport and mail services when trying to locate the park.

Sydenham Park is 231 hectares of parkland reserve. Legislation protects its environmental and geological values. And it has cultural heritage significance and value to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. The landscape includes:

  • grasslands
  • river valleys
  • ridges
  • where three waterways meet; Jackson Creek, Deep Creek and the Maribyrnong River.

Sydenham Park is a registered “Aboriginal place” under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. It has cultural heritage sensitivity with many Aboriginal archaeological places within the park.

An illustration of Greater Melbourne showing the Kulin People, tribal and clan boundaries

The Marin-bulluk of the Woi wurrung language group are the Traditional Owners of Sydenham Park. The Marin-bulluk’s country includes Sunbury and along the Maribyrnong River, Kororoit Creek and Jacksons Creek. They have cared for the park’s waterways, land and flora and fauna for the last 65,000 years.

The Wurundjeri have a deep and continuous connection to the land. Before colonisation, Aboriginal people used the area for hunting, fishing, and camping along the river and creek beds. The Maribyrnong River and Jacksons Creek were extremely important waterways for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

Today, Sydenham Park has many land uses and recreation opportunities for the community, including:

  • Keilor and District Model Aircraft Society
  • Council Maintenance Depot
  • stormwater harvesting system and treatment pond
  • conservation reserve
  • shared user path & walking trails, lookout and picnic space.

To meet Geographic Names Victoria's requirements, only one submission per person is allowed and a valid submission must:

  • if you agree: explain your support for the naming proposal
  • If you oppose: explain your reason why the name is not appropriate
  • Include your name and address.

We will not consider your feedback valid if:

  • it doesn’t explain why you oppose the proposed name
  • it is obscene, offensive and/or racist.

This is as per Sections 8.1 and 7.2.5 of Naming rules for places in Victoria – Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities – 2022

Proposed new Traditional Custodian names and meaning

The Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung propose these names for the park. They hold significance to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. Traditional Owner names may initially appear complex, over time they will become familiar and easy to use.

  • yaluk barring park

    Meaning river trail

    Listen 

  • yerrin taydo park

    Meaning bush walk

    Listen 

  • ​wurrwu baan park

    Meaning running water

    Listen 

Feedback

Indicate your preference and provide feedback on the proposed Traditional Custodian names for renaming Sydenham Park.

Section 8.5 of Geographic Names Victoria’s Naming Rules requires that Brimbank City Council respond to everyone who makes a submission with information about the next steps and how we will manage objections.

Preferences and valid feedback will be considered by the Councillors when choosing the final name.

If you need help providing feedback in a language other than English, please call Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.