The second round of nominations for the ‘Remember a Local — Name a Place’ campaign has opened, encouraging Victorians to nominate the outstanding people in their communities.
In the wake of International Women’s Day on March 8, the Victorian Government is encouraging the community to nominate the outstanding women in their lives to be honoured in the names of new places and roads.
“We know place names matter — they shape how we see our history and who we value,” Women Minister Natalie Hutchins said.
“By putting more women’s names on the map, we are ensuring their contributions are recognised for generations to come.”
The campaign was launched last year, and for the first time, more women were recognised in new place names than men, with 57 per cent of new commemorative place names in 2024, up from 35 per cent in 2023 and 26 per cent in 2022.
“There are thousands of women who have shaped Victoria, yet their names are missing from our streets, parks and landmarks — this is about honouring their contributions and ensuring our public spaces tell the full story of our state’s history,” Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said.
Over the next three years, over 6000 new places, including streets, suburbs, schools, parks and community facilities will be named, with the campaign ensuring they reflect Victoria’s diversity and history.
Recent place names commemorating extraordinary women include Devine St in Charlemont, named after Kathleen Mary Josephine Devine, a Geelong-born World War I nurse, and Sika Way in Footscray honouring Sika Kerry, Footscray’s first female councillor and a champion for migrant women.
Nominations are open until June 30, with nominations welcome from outstanding individuals from other under-represented groups including First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities and culturally diverse communities.
To make a nomination, go to engage.vic.gov.au/name-a-place
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