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City of Merri-Bek: Renaming
Client
Local Government
Date
2022
Location
City of Merri-Bek
Awards
Victorian Community History Award, 2023
Project type
Research, Advice, Placemaking
THE CHALLENGE
The City of Moreland sought to rename the municipality as part of its commitment to reconciliation. To underpin this significant change, Council required rigorous historical evidence regarding the origins of the "Moreland" name to support a transparent and informed decision-making process.
OUR APPROACH
Founding Director Dr James Lesh provided the critical historical rationale:
► Forensic History: Our research definitively linked the "Moreland" name to three British Caribbean slave plantations, providing the factual basis for the name change.
► Truth-Telling: We supported the Council, residents, and First Peoples through community workshops and public lectures, facilitating a difficult but necessary conversation about colonial history.
THE OUTCOME
Our report provided the historical authority required for the Council to formally rename the municipality to the City of Merri-Bek, marking a significant step in truth-telling and reconciliation for local government in Australia.
