The official name of the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) will be returning Wadawurrung language to Country - with a name gifted by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Victorian Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing joined the Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan, alongside Wadawurrung Elders and family today to officially an-nounce the new centre name - Nyaal Banyul - Geelong Convention and Event Centre.
With the meaning 'open your eyes to the hills', the name Nyaal Banyul was chosen to encourage locals and visitors to appreciate the landscapes of Wadawurrung Country, a calling that many more will hear when visiting the much-anticipated precinct that is expected to be complete in 2026.
Geelong's Western Beach cliffs are an important cultural and spiritual place for Wadawurrung People. To the north, locals and visitors can see the Wurdi Youang (You Yangs) and Anakie Youang. The east is home to the hills of the Bellawiyn (Bellarine) while the Fyansford hill lies in the west and the Barrabul (Barrabool) hills to the south.
The precinct was historically a gathering place known as Baierr, with this official new naming celebrating the return of events and community gatherings to the site.
The precinct development is the centrepiece of the $500 million Geelong City Deal, a collaborative plan to transform the region by the Australian and Victorian governments, and the City of Greater Geelong.
The Victorian Government is investing more than $260 million to build the Nyaal Banyul | Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct as part of the Geelong City Deal, with the Australian Government contributing $30 million and the City of Greater Geelong contributing $3 million.
The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation have been important partners in shaping the pre-cinct's design, identity and recognition of local cultural heritage. This co-design with the consortium, Plenary Con-ventions, will embed First Nations deep values and knowledge into the building and public precinct.
The Corporation will also work with the future operators of the centre, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, to celebrate and educate the public on Wadawurrung cultural history.
Construction of the purpose-built convention and event centre will commence soon and will be complete in 2026. The Centre will host a range of events from large corporate, sporting and entertainment events to international music and trade shows, through to public exhibitions.
There will be a 1,000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.
New retail spaces will feature hospitality offerings, a large public plaza will become a feature of the Geelong water-front and a new 200-room hotel under the Crowne Plaza brand will boost local visitation.
