Muderra Way with two men

Traditional Owner Renaming of Road and Art Project for Muderra Way in Noble Park

'Link Road' in Noble Park connects Leonard Avenue and Ian Street which runs east west beneath the railway station. The road was created as part of the level crossing removal project and does not have an official name.

The road was known as ‘Link Road’ (Noble Park) and Council with assistance by the Level Crossing Removal Authority worked together to identify a suitable Traditional Owner Name.

In March 2023 Council consulted exclusively with the Traditional Owners of the land, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC), requesting their formal support for the use of traditional language words for the express purpose of naming this road.

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation formally supported the use of a traditional language words to name this road.

The road was be renamed 'Muderra Way' (pronounced Muderra (Moo-Dah-Ra) - Torrential Rain) in Bunurong language.

This road naming was the first of its kind in the municipality.

To mark this momentous occasion, the City of Greater Dandenong and the Bunurong Land Council has collaborated to deliver a monumental three-part mural. 

Artists Koby Sainty (Bunurong and Palawa) and Koorrin Edwards (Bunurong, Gunnai, Gunditjmara, Mutti and Yorta Yorta) are working with Robert Michael Young (Gunnai, Wiradjuri, Yorta and Gunditjmara), to design and deliver traffic calming asphalt artwork which will extend across:

  • Part 1: Traffic calming mural that will run the length of Muderra Way
  • Part 2: Continue mural into the length of adjacent Ian Street, Noble Park. (Does not including footpaths and road surface)
  • Part 3: Four rail bridge pillars on Muderra Way

This renaming is a significant opportunity for the land council, in telling Bunurong story and which incorporates their language and history.

To provide insight into the meaning of the work for the Bunurong community and allow the wider community, public and arts industry to engage in the traditional stories behind the project, by highlighting: 

  • The significance of site, the road naming, the story behind it (both cultural and literal)
  • The importance of this artwork to the community, to place and to Bunurong people
  • The meaning of this project for Council. The project from renaming to the Public Art has been a collaborative partnership working closely with the Bunurong Land Council and what role Greater Dandenong played, and the importance of the way we worked
  • Introduction of three artists, their practice, and this project unique artwork capacity and skills building opportunity
  • Artist knowledge sharing through creation, development, and installation of a large-scale mural on Muderra Way (formerly Link Road)
  • Celebration of the finished works through interpretation and educating around the artwork
  • Guest at the Welcoming Ceremony for the opening of Muderra Way
    Guest at the Welcoming Ceremony for the opening of Muderra Way
  • Welcoming Ceremony at Muderra Way
    Welcoming Ceremony at Muderra Way
  • Artist Koby Sainty at Welcoming Ceremony
    Artist Koby Sainty at Welcoming Ceremony
  • Welcoming Ceremony at Muderra Way
    Welcoming Ceremony at Muderra Way
  • Welcoming Ceremony at Muderra Way
    Welcoming Ceremony at Muderra Way
  • Opening of Muderra Way
    Opening of Muderra Way
  • Artist Koby Sainty
    Artist Koby Sainty
  • Artist Koorrin Edwards
    Artist Koorrin Edwards
  • Artist Koby Sainty and Artist Koorrin Edwards
    Artist Koby Sainty and Artist Koorrin Edwards
  • Artist Koby Sainty and Artist Koorrin Edwards
    Artist Koby Sainty and Artist Koorrin Edwards