Over the past week, we have received a significant number of emails on the name of the cultural precinct around Thomas Street in Dandenong, from various perspectives.
What the emails have in common is that they have been sincere, genuine and heartfelt. The Mayor, Councillor Jim Memeti and senior officers have read the messages. We are giving them careful consideration.
Prior to this week, Council had no plans to re-consider the name of the area, or the name by which the precinct is commonly known. Any change or formal naming process would only be undertaken after genuine and thorough community consultation – which would likely take a number of months.
We are very proud of the precinct around Thomas Street. It is a lively, thriving, fantastic commercial and cultural precinct. It is highly valued by our local community and also draws patrons and visitors from across Melbourne’s east and south east. It is a credit to all the diverse traders who have created this special place over more than 20 years.
We are also proud of our social cohesion and community resilience. We are proud of the peaceful way our Greater Dandenong community gets along, despite many residents having had very painful experiences of conflict and division in their birth countries.
From the emails we’ve received, it is clear that this topic is complex and sensitive. We do not want to rush any action on this matter.
We will provide an update in due course.
Jacqui Weatherill, Chief Executive Officer