Honouring women in road and place names

THE State Government is encouraging Victorians to nominate outstanding women from their community to be honoured in the names of new places or roads.

For the first time, more than half of new place names in Victoria have honoured women, with 57 per cent of place names in 2024 being named after women.

Historically, place names in Victoria have been largely male.

“There are thousands of women who have shaped Victoria, yet their names are missing from our streets, parks, and landmarks – this is about honouring their contributions and ensuring our public spaces tell the full story of our state’s history,” Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said.

The second round of the Remember a Local – Name a Place campaign is open until June and over the next three years more than 6000 new places will be named in Victoria.

To be commemorated, the person must be deceased, have left a lasting legacy and have a long association with the nominated area.

The campaign aims to ensure place names better reflect the diverse community, and nominations of people from other underrepresented groups such as First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and culturally diverse communities are encouraged.