By ANEEKA SIMONIS
CALLS have been made to rename the federal seat of McMillan – a move aimed at putting to rest the violent, white supremacist history the Gippsland region was born into during the mid-nineteenth century.
McMillan, which takes parts of West Gippsland including Pakenham, was named after Scottish-born pioneer Angus McMillan who came to the region in the late 1830s.
He did so by leading several mass Aboriginal massacres in the region 1840-1850, clearing the land of Indigenous tribes.
Few death toll records were kept after the mass Aboriginal murders, though legend has it up to 1000 Indigenous inhabitants were killed during the decade-long fight for land.
It’s a sore part of the region’s history, according to McMillan Labor candidate Chris Buckingham who has made fresh calls for support to rename the seat as a show of reconciliation toward the Indigenous community.
“It is part of our history as a region, and the facts are undisputable. Make no mistake the original inhabitants of our land have not been forgotten,” he said.
“There are many good people directly descended from the original white settlers who wish for a way to help heal the hurt and suffering caused. They know deep down that it is not right to continue venerating Angus McMillan’s name.
“In my opinion, we are well overdue for a name change and we should embrace the opportunity to have the conversation as a community about how we wish to be known.
“The value in changing the name away from McMillan is recognising the wrongs and making a clear statement as a community that we are for recognition and reconciliation.”
He is asking for those in support of a name change to lobby the Australian Electoral (AEC) Commission for a name change as part of next year’s scheduled federal electoral boundary redistribution process.
“Join me in letting the Australian Electoral Commission know that we want a name for our federal seat that more closely aligns with our values and aspirations,” he called.
Well-known local Aboriginal Elder Carolyn Briggs put her support behind the change, suggesting a local Indigenous name would make an appropriate fit.
Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent did not cast a personal opinion on the proposed change, instead encouraging those who feel strongly about the issue to speak up.
“I have every sympathy for those who believe the name of the electorate should be changed. Ultimately, however, that decision would be made by the Australian Electoral Commission. I urge anyone seeking a change of name for the electorate to make representations to the commission,” he said.
Federal electorate redistributions are required every seven years, with the last Victorian redistribution taking place in 2010.
AEC media spokesman Phil Diak was unable to confirm how many Victorian seats had a change of name due to sentimental reasons such as those proposed by Mr Buckingham, but confirmed name changes have occurred in NSW and ACT.
