Our newest site will now be known as Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre (EPC). Murrumbek means ‘belong’ in the Bunurong language, and this new name speaks to our hope that the Murrumbek Casey EPC is a place where all families feel they belong.
What’s in a name?
Dandenong and Moorabbin Hospital both derive their names from local Aboriginal placenames, but Murrumbek is our first site named in partnership with Traditional Owners and marks a significant step forward on our reconciliation journey.
The Bunurong people are the Traditional Owners of the lands where Murrumbek Casey EPC is located.
Chief Aboriginal Health Advisor, Dan Carter, has worked with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) on requests for naming several of our new sites and projects. BLCAC is the Registered Aboriginal Party and primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in the area.
“Engaging with the local Traditional Owners to use language is a way we can pay respect to the rich and ongoing Aboriginal cultures and histories where we deliver care,” says Dan.
At Monash Health, we’re committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment that embraces all people, and ‘Creating a welcoming environment’ is a key ongoing action of our Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 – 2025. By engaging with Traditional Owners to use First Language in our naming conventions, we redouble our commitment to make First Nations people feel welcome when they walk into our health service.
Our Bubup Clinic and Healthy Koori Kids Clinic have names from Aboriginal languages, and we are looking at co-naming opportunities for the Cranbourne Community Hospital, Aboriginal Health and Engagement team, South East Public Health Unit Office, the new Kingston residential aged care facility and others.
The Torch: Aboriginal artwork at Murrumbek Casey EPC
As part of a large commissioning process, The Torch was awarded a contract to supply a number of artworks to furnish the site.
“This is a unique partnership between Monash Health and The Torch,” says Sarah Ong, Operations Director, Aboriginal Health. “The Torch creates new pathways for First Nations people who have had touch points with the justice system and our commissioning approach has resulted in local artists being able to express their connection to family, culture and wellbeing for the EPC. I found it a truly emotional experience to work with one of the artists during the installation phase.”
Each piece of artwork has been specifically chosen for the location in which it is hung. For example, in the entrance there is a 2x2m piece created by artist Raymond Traplin which signifies ‘two brothers searching for a safe home’ and another piece by artist Stacey Edwards which showcases geometrics and colourful budgies that represent her ‘three children’.
You can find out more about the Murrumbek Casey Early Parenting Centre here.
Approved by Danielle Smith, General Manager/Director of Nursing, Children’s Program and Monash Children’s Hospital