Victorians Help Put More Women On Map
For the first time, more than half of new place names in Victoria have honoured women, as the Allan Labor Government continues its work to recognise the contributions of remarkable women across the state.
The second round of nominations for the Remember a Local – Name a Place campaign has opened in the lead-up to International Women’s Day and Victorians are encouraged to nominate outstanding women from their communities to be honoured in the names of new places and roads.
The Labor Government launched the place name campaign last year, and for the first time more women were recognised in new place names than men – making up 57 per cent of new commemorative place names that year, up from 35 per cent in 2023 and just 26 per cent in 2022.
Historically, place names in Victoria have overwhelmingly skewed male – a sample of more than 5,000 place and roads names across the state found 1,400 were named after men, while only around 200 were named after women.
Over the next three years, Victoria will name more than 6,000 new places, including streets, suburbs, schools, parks, and community facilities. This campaign ensures public spaces better reflect the state’s rich diversity and history.
Nominations are now open for the campaign which aims to ensure public spaces better reflect the rich diversity and history of Victoria’s community – Victorians are encouraged to nominate women who have made a significant impact to the state or their community in areas like healthcare, science, the arts or public service.
Recent place names commemorating extraordinary women include Devine Street in Charlemont, named after Kathleen Mary Josephine Devine, a Geelong-born First World War nurse. Sika Way in Footscray honours Sika Kerry OAM, Footscray’s first female councillor and a champion for migrant women.
The campaign also welcomes nominations of outstanding individuals from other underrepresented groups, including First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and culturally diverse communities.
To make a nomination, fill out the naming survey at: engage.vic.gov.au/name-a-place.
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
“There are thousands of women who have shaped Victoria, yet their names are missing from our streets, parks, and landmarks – this is about honouring their contributions and ensuring our public spaces tell the full story of our state’s history.”
As stated by Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins
“We know place names matter – they shape how we see our history and who we value. By putting more women’s names on the map, we are ensuring their contributions are recognised for generations to come.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/250304-Place-Names-Campaign-IWD-HA.pdf