The Epping Animal Welfare Facility will have a new name in the new year; wat djerring Animal Facility.
The name wat djerring, meaning 'we together', was chosen after consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWWCHAC).
At its meeting this week Council endorsed the name change and will now submit it to Geographic Names Victoria for formal approval.
City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the new name represented a new era at the facility which was recently relaunched under the management of the City of Whittlesea, in partnership with Merri-bek and Darebin councils.
"The facility operates as the pound for three councils and we wanted a more inclusive name that acknowledged the cultural heritage of the land and reflected the purpose of the facility; to reconnect people with their pets and to give animals a fresh start," she said.
"I'd like to thank the WWWCHAC for their support in suggesting such a meaningful rich name that really captures the strong values our community places on pet ownership and in so doing helps to bring to life the vision for a new beginning for the facility."
The name is pronounced "wot jerring" - the 'dj' sound is not known in the English language but is a combination of the two sounds. They are pronounced together, but there is more emphasis on the 'j'. The name is displayed in lower case lettering, with no initial capitalisation.
The new name is complimented with a compelling new visual brand designed by Aboriginal artist De Greer-Yindimincarlie at YindiArtz that represents how an animal, despite the challenges of its journey can flourish and thrive with love and care.
