A unique name for Geelong’s new convention and exhibition centre

In a move to involve the traditional owners of the land, the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre in Victoria, Australia, has thus been named to embed the land’s culture, values, and knowledge into the building and public realm.

Construction of the venue will start soon and will end in 2026. The centre will host a range of events such as large corporate, sporting and entertainment events, international music and trade shows, and public exhibitions.

The area includes a 1000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces, and will also house F&B retail outlets, a public plaza and a 200-room hotel under the Crowne Plaza brand.

As a major driver of jobs and economic growth for the City of Greater Geelong, the venue is expected to support 600 jobs during construction and an additional 270 ongoing jobs once it is complete.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Interim CEO, Liam Murphy, said: “Naming in Wadawurrung language is a process only Wadawurrung Traditional Owners can do and we are grateful to have been given the opportunity to return language to Country.

“We also appreciate being invited to provide design principles to inform the concept of the GCEC on this part of Country, as the Western Beach cliffs, holds special cultural value to Wadawurrung.”

Chief executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Natalie O’Brien, said: “As the future operators of Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, continuous engagement with the Wadawurrung community is an important focus for MCET.

“We seek to strengthen our relationship with and honour First Nations knowledge, heritage and truth-telling in the venue’s brand, throughout the centre and in future operations.”