About the project

Pakenham’s newest integrated Child & Family Centre (Thewlis Child & Family Centre – interim name) is currently under development, and due to open its doors to the community early 2025. The centre will provide Kindergarten, Maternal & Child Health as well as hireable spaces to support delivery of other early years programs and allied health specialists.

Cardinia Shire is located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong and Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. The name ‘Cardinia’ itself is derived from the Boonwurrung or Wadawurrung word ‘Kar-din-yarr’ meaning ‘look to the rising sun’ or ‘close to the sunrise’.

Geographic Names Victoria and Council’s Place Naming Policy strongly encourage the use of indigenous language when considering naming of local roads, features and localities. In consultation with our Place Names Advisory Committee and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, we presented three culturally significant names for the centre for you to vote on.

Consultation was open from 3 June – 30 June 2024. The naming process undertaken followed the same process used for Council’s last three Child & Family Centres within the Shire (namely Kone-wark, Kurm-boon and Toun-nun); identifying a name of indigenous connection or significance to the area.

We are asked you to vote on your preferred name chosen by our Place Names Advisory Committee and in consultation with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. See proposed names below.

Proposed Names

  • Benup (White Gum)

    Benup (ben-oop) talks to our connection to Country and Culture. We use gum leaves for many things including Traditional Ceremonies like a smoking ceremony which we still practice in our current day.

  • Boollam Boollam (Butterfly)

    Boollam Boollam (Bullam Bullam) to Bunurong people this symbolises growth, development, and change. It represents the journey of our community and how we evolve, mirroring how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Just as the butterfly undergoes a transformative process, it serves as a reminder of the constant evolution and growth that occurs within us and our surrounding community.

  • Nearkey Biik (Take care of Country)

    Nearkey Biik (Near – Key, Bik) speaks to caring for Country, Water and our people. This is the foundation that our Cultural Values are built on and is taught from birth.

Privacy Statement

We are collecting your feedback to inform the Naming of Thewlis Integrated Child and Family Centre project. To see our complete Privacy Policy please see cardinia.vic.gov.au/site/scripts/terms.php#

Cardinia Shire Council privacy collection statement

Personal information collected by Council, its external service providers or contractors, is used for municipal purposes as specified in the Local Government Act 2020. The personal information will be held securely and used solely by Council for these purposes and/or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if required or permitted by legislation, and who are bound by substantially similar obligations. The applicant understands that the personal information provided is for the above purpose and that he or she may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information. Requests for access and/or correction should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au