SHAPE Melbourne office meeting rooms have officially been named in Woi-wurrung language in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
For the boardroom, the name Narrm, meaning Melbourne in Woi-wurrung, was chosen. The room was attributed this name due to its centrality; it is the room in which visitors, both local and from around the country, would typically meet. The word ‘Narrm’ identifies this as an important place within the office.
The name Wangim, meaning boomerang, was chosen for the Bid meeting room, in reference to the use of a boomerang as a hunting weapon. In this room, SHAPE ‘hunts’ for work as bids go out and project wins come back in.
The remaining two rooms received the names Binap, meaning Manna Gum (a type of Eucalyptus tree), and Waa, meaning crow, which are in partnership with each other, separated from time to time by an operable wall. The joining and dividing of the two training rooms is mimicked in nature by the coming and going of the crow, to and from its tree. The larger of the two rooms is labelled Binap as the tree that anchors the scene.
The SHAPE Melbourne team engaged the Wurundjeri Corporation to seek guidance and approval from Traditional Owners on the use of their Woi-wurrung language. The Wurundjeri Corporation was established for the Wurundjeri people and members from other Victorian clans who were displaced from their traditional lands. In present day, the council provides a range of services, such as natural resource management, cultural practises for events and cross-cultural awareness training.
The SHAPE Melbourne team engaged the Wurundjeri Corporation to seek guidance and approval from Traditional Owners on the use of their Woi-wurrung language.
An official certificate for each room is displayed in a central office location.
Adam Head, General Manager VIC – SHAPE, said: “This year’s NAIDOC theme reminds us of how important it is to continue celebrating the achievements, voices and narratives of our Indigenous communities. The naming of our office rooms, with the guidance of the Wurundjeri Corporation, celebrates Woi-wurrung language and represents our ongoing commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices.
“A huge thank you to DLG SHAPE General Manager Michael Manikas and SHAPE Design Manager Katherine Kelly, who played an important role in the consultation process.”
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land, sea, and skies. We’re grateful to those who have cared for, nurtured, and protected Country for future generations, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
