The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring better representation of Aboriginal culture and language across the state, with Aboriginal language names to be used for all 14 new government schools set to open their doors next year.

The names of the new schools and kindergarten opening in Truganina in 2024 have now been chosen, following local community consultation.

Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly today unveiled the official name for the new schools in Truganina as Warreen Primary School (pronounced ‘wah-reen’ meaning wombat), which was formerly known by its interim name of Truganina North Primary School, as well as the name for Truganina North Secondary School, which will be Bemin Secondary College (pronounced ‘bee-min’ meaning ringtail possum). The name of the kindergarten onsite at Truganina North Primary School will also respectively be named Warreen Primary School Kindergarten.

Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins announced the names of the other new schools, as well as the names of four new kindergartens on school sites, after a thorough consultation process.

For the first time, the 2024 new school naming process consulted on a short-list of Aboriginal language names, receiving more than 7,000 submissions.

The names of the new schools (and their interim names) are:

• Yarrabing Secondary College (Aintree Secondary School)
• Dharra School (Aintree Specialist School)
• Topirum Primary School (Alexander Boulevard Primary School)
• Laa Yulta Primary School (Black Forest East Primary School)
• Binap Primary School (Brookfield Primary School)
• Banum Warrik Primary School (Lockerbie Central Primary School)
• Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College (Lollypop Creek Secondary College)
• Nganboo Borron School (Lollypop Creek Specialist School)
• Yubup Primary School (Merrifield South Primary School)
• Kurmile Primary School (Officer Brunt Road Primary School)
• Brinbeal Secondary College (Riverdale Secondary School)
• Wimba Primary School (Tarneit North Primary School).

The names of the three other new Kindergartens on School Sites will be Laa Yulta Primary School Kindergarten, Wimba Primary School Kindergarten and Murnong Kindergarten.

A full list of the translation of the Indigenous school names can be found Schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au

Quote attributable to Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins

“These 14 new schools will ensure growing communities have a great local education for their kids and a unique connection to the land through their Indigenous names.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-prep Ingrid Stitt

“We are so proud that our new kinder names reflect the land that they are on – and help our littlest learners understand the role First Nations' Victorians play in our heritage and history."

Quote attributable to Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly

“These new school names commemorate the long history of the land we all call home while equipping our kids with the best education for the future.”