The Government building accommodating the offices of the Department of Finance and the Department of Training and Workforce Development has been renamed Djookanup.
Announcing the change, Minister for Finance and Aboriginal Affairs, Tony Buti said the name, in the local Noongar language, meant ‘place of young women harvesting food’.
Mr Buti said the building, in the Perth suburb of Osborne Park, was previously known as Optima B.
He said the name was selected in consultation with local Noongar business, Moodjar Consultancy, and followed engagement with Traditional Owners and representatives from each Department.
The Minister said the Executive Report provided by Moodjar Consultancy stated the area’s freshwater lakes were used to gather and harvest food sources, a role typically undertaken by young women.
Mr Buti said the Government strongly supported recognition of Aboriginal heritage.
“Symbolic changes like this recognise the Noongar connection to the area,” he said.
“The names we give to landmarks or places across Western Australia help convey their significance and history, which helps to pass on knowledge.”
He said Djookanup recognised the continuing connection of the Whadjuk Noongar people to land, sea, community and country.
“The former name of Optima B did little to inspire, so it is appropriate to rename the building to Djookanup, recognising and paying respect to the language and history of the Whadjuk Noongar people,” Mr Buti said.
He said new signage was accompanied by a design by Pinjarup-Whadjuk artist, Chloe Calyon.
