Geelong's future convention centre to be named Nyaal Banyul

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is gifting a new name to what has been known as Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Australia, returning Wadawurrung language to country. Minister for regional development Harriet Shing, federal minister for regional development, local government and territories Kristy McBain, and City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan joined Wadawurrung Elders, family and staff to announce the centre will be named Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. On the name, Shin says “I am so honoured that the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation has gifted the name Nyaal Banyul to this transformative convention and event centre in Geelong.” “There is a long and significant cultural history with the site which we want to recognise through the design, construction and operations of this significant project for Geelong.” The name Nyaal Banyul means: ‘open your eyes to the hills.’ The name is made up of two Wadawurrung words – nyaal, meaning to open your eyes, and banyul, meaning hill. This name was chosen to encourage people at the site to take time to appreciate the landscapes of Wadawurrung Country. Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation interim CEO Liam Murphy comments: “Naming in Wadawurrung language is a process only Wadawurrung Traditional Owners can do and we are grateful to have been given the opportunity to return language to Country.” The Western Beach cliffs are a cultural and spiritual place for Wadawurrung People. From the site, Wurdi Youang (You Yangs) and Anakie Youang can be seen to the north, while the hills of the Bellawiyn (Bellarine) can be found to the east, the Fyansford hill to the west and the Barrabul (Barrabool) hills to the south. The Victorian Government is investing more than AUD $260m (USD $133m) to build the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre precinct as part of the Geelong City Deal, with additional contributions of $30m from the Australian Government and $3m from the City of Greater Geelong. The consortium, Plenary Conventions is delivering the project and will work with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to embed its culture, values, and knowledge into the building and public realm as part of a co-design approach. Construction of the purpose-built convention and event centre will commence soon and will be complete in 2026. The precinct will include a 1000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces. It will also be home to retail spaces for food and beverage, a large public plaza and a 200-room hotel under the internationally renowned Crowne Plaza brand. The precinct development is the centrepiece of the Geelong City Deal – an over $500m commitment between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.