MOUNT Gambier Boandik elder Ken Jones has congratulated the local community on taking the Bunganditj language into consideration for naming of the multi-million dollar community and recreation hub.
The Bunganditji language traditionally represents the Boandik people, who are the traditional custodians of the land which the new facility will be built on.
City Council announced late yesterday it would extend the public consultation process to allow more community submissions to be put forward.
Mr Jones said he supported suggestions to name the major public asset in honour of the area’s Boandik heritage.
“With respect to the Bunganditj language and our newly released dictionary we can work towards an agreed name for the hub,” Mr Jones said.
“It is wonderful to see the community contributing in such a great way and there has been some interesting discussion in the community and meaningful contributions from the locals for the name.”
Residents have contributed around 10 out of 74 names associated with the Boandik history.
Boandik representation was initially described as a key theme for the community to follow in the naming process, alongside natural environment, historical and activity focus.
In a staff report presented to the sub-committee, it was noted a number of the names submitted are referenced as Boandik yet do not appear in the Bunganditji dictionary.
It was recommended if a selection of the names were chosen in the future, they would be validated by the Bunganditji Language Reclamation Committee before proceeding to community vote.
The language committee was also approached by council to register a name it believes may be of interest to the wider community.
