Lake Monger
Parents at Lake Monger Primary School in Perth are facing the prospect of potential financial burdens related to a planned name change. The school is considering adopting the Indigenous name “Galup,” following the official renaming of the nearby wetland in June 2023. The estimated cost for this rebranding is at least $50,000, which would encompass expenses such as new uniforms, signage, stationery, and administrative support.
According to meeting records from the school board, the projected costs include $10,000 for signage, $2,000 for website updates, and $40,000 for additional staffing. The president of the WA Council of State School Organisations, Pania Turner, emphasized that the school’s Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) should not be expected to fundraise to cover these expenses. “We would not expect families to bear the burden of any costs associated with a name change,” she stated.
The Education Department’s regional office has indicated support for the name change; however, discussions within the school community have been limited. The process to change the school’s name requires an application to the Director-General of Schools, followed by community consultation and the submission of three proposed names. If an Indigenous name is chosen, approval from a local elder would also be necessary.
A spokesperson for the Education Department confirmed that there is no designated budget for the name change process. “If the name change is approved, the school will likely incur costs for administration, new signage, stationery, and uniforms,” they noted. Funding for such changes would come from the school’s budget at the principal’s discretion.
The protocol for changing a school name is outlined in the Department of Education’s Naming of Public Schools and Facilities Policy and Procedure. Upon completing the necessary consultations and recommending a preferred name, the principal submits the suggested name to the Minister for Education for final consideration.
Lake Monger Primary School has a history of name changes. Originally known as Wandarra (meeting place) Primary when it opened in 1954, the school has seen various transformations. The wetland it is named after was officially recognized with its Whadjuk Noongar name, Galup, meaning “place where the home fires burn,” in June 2023, following endorsement by the State Geographic Names Committee.
Historically, the lake was named after John Henry Monger, a landowner who acquired the area in 1831 and became one of Western Australia’s wealthiest individuals. The site itself holds significant cultural importance for the Whadjuk Noongar people, with historical accounts indicating that between 30 and 40 Noongar individuals lost their lives there in 1830.
As discussions regarding the potential name change continue, the community remains engaged in the process, highlighting the importance of both cultural recognition and financial feasibility.
