Northern plaza at Kardinia Park named

THE new northern plaza at Kardinia Park has been officially named.

Earlier today, the Victorian government announced the plaza, being built as part of the Stage 5 development at GMHBA Stafium, would be known as Djilang Plaza.

Meaning a “tongue of land,” Djilang is the Traditional Wadawurrung title for Geelong and represents the unique way Geelong and the Bellarine sits on the edge of the bay.

Kardinia Park has been a meeting place for Wadawurrung for thousands of years, with gatherings for all aspects of Traditional cultural ceremonies and rituals.

Facing onto Moorabool Street outside Gate 1 at the northern end of the stadium, Djilang Plaza will become a gateway to welcome thousands of spectators to the venue every year and will share stories of Wadawurrung.

Overseen by the Trust, the Stage 5 Redevelopment will deliver a new 14,000 capacity, two-tier northern stand, new northern entry plaza, sports museum, indoor cricket hub, function rooms and a suite of technology upgrades.

Patrons will enjoy world-class facilities all year round with the venue set to host a packed schedule of events of Australian Football, T20 cricket, football, concerts and many other community activities which makes Kardinia Park so important to Geelong and the entire region.

Led by the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust as the naming authority, the naming process involved significant consultation with the community and key stakeholders, including Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and Geographic Names Victoria.

Construction on the Stage 5 Redevelopment continues and once complete will increase the overall stadium capacity to 40,000 people.

“Djilang Plaza is a fitting way to recognise the Wadawurrung people who have forged a connection wih this land for thousands of years, helping it become what it is today,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said.
“The redevelopment of Kardinia Park will transform Australia’s premier regional venue into an even greater place for sport and major events, it’s so exciting we can honour the entire community through the project.”

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer Gerard Griffin welcomed the naming.

“We are pleased to have two bespoke significant Wadawurrung artworks as part of the Djilang Plaza,” he said.

“The connection between community and land has been honoured and elevated through these artworks, along with the naming of the plaza.”