General News
9 February, 2026
Dupitjun: the ‘original name’ given to new early learning centre
HEADS are being scratched after the State Government quietly released the name of the Loddon Shire’s first child care centre last week.
The Government followed its policy of using indigenous names for new schools and early learning centres.
Wedderburn’s 90-place centre co-located with the P12 college will be called Dupitjin which the Government says is the “original name of the place” for Dja Dja Wurring people. The centre opened last Wednesday.
DJARRA said on Tuesday that “Dupitjin is a Dja Dja Wurrung name for the Country that Wedderburn is built on”.
But Loddon Shire councillor and historical society member Gavan Holt said: “I’ve never heard or known of Wedderburn to be called that ... not even vaguely.”
Cr Holt said it was disappointing the Wedderburn community, that had seen local mothers launch a strong campaign five years ago to end the shire’s child care desert, had not been part of consultation on the centre’s name.
“I think there could have been consultation with all the people of the area,” Cr Holt said.
He was backed by Wedderburn Historical Records Society president Darryl Arnott who is now trawling records for any mention of dupitjin in the district’s history.
“Korong has always been the main word around here. We’re not sure where dupitjin has come from,” he said.
Goldminers in the 1850s first called the Wedderburn district Korong or Mount Korong Diggings. Bunce’s Language of the Aborigines of the Colony of Victoria in 1859 said Korong was an Aboriginal word meaning canoe or boat.
Until last week, Dupitjin had been called Wedderburn Early Learning Centre (interim name). when Early Leaning Victoria and Victorian Schools Building Authority updated the name on websites.
Unveiling of the centre’s official name comes as bureaucrats race to apply consistent fire danger ratings to the Hospital Street site.
Under Education Department rulings, Wedderburn College can open on extreme fire danger days but must close on days rated catastrophic. But the early learning centre will be forced to close on extreme days.
Wedderburn College has told parents: “We are in the process of aligning the College and Early Learning Victoria Dupitjin Centre’s bushfire mitigation processes. Until this is completed, it may be necessary for the Early Learning Centre to close on extreme fire days called in the Loddon local government area.
“We understand that this difference may be confusing and inconvenient for families, particularly for those with children attending both the centre and school site and appreciate your patience.”
- CHRIS EARL