The head office building for the Departments of Finance, and Training and Workforce Development has today been renamed 'Djookanup', meaning 'place of young women harvesting food', in the local Noongar language.
The new name of the Osborne Park building, formerly known as 'Optima B', was unveiled by Minister Buti, and Directors General Nicki Godecke and Karen Ho.
The name was selected in consultation with local Noongar business Moodjar Consultancy, following engagement with Traditional Owners, and representatives from each department.
The Executive Report provided by Moodjar Consultancy outlines that "the first people to use this site were the local Noongar people, the Yellagonga, who call the area 'Ngur gen boro'."
The area's freshwater lakes were used to gather and harvest food sources, a role typically undertaken by young women.
Pinjarup-Whadjuk artist Chloe Calyon's vibrant signage design shares Djookanup's story, celebrating the area's rich history.
As stated by Finance and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"The McGowan Government strongly supports recognition of Aboriginal heritage and symbolic changes like this recognise the Noongar connection to the area.
"The names we give to landmarks or places across Western Australia help convey their significance and history, which helps to pass on knowledge.
"The new name, Djookanup, recognises the ongoing connection of the Whadjuk Noongar people to land, sea, community and country.
"The former name Optima B does little to inspire so it is appropriate to rename the building to Djookanup, recognising and paying respect to the language and history of the Whadjuk Noongar people."
