Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out about the origin of place names in Victoria?
You can search the Historical Information component of the Register of Geographic Names. If this does not contain any inforrmation visit the Australian National Placenames Survey website or there are several excellent reference works that may be available at your local library, including:
- Les Blake, Place Names of Victoria (Rigby, 1976)
- Cambridge Dictionary of Australian Places (Cambridge University Press, 1992)
- A E Martin, Place Names in Victoria and Tasmania (NSW Bookstall Co., 1944)
- A W Reed, Aboriginal Place Names and Their Meanings (Reed, 1967, reprinted 1974).
The Centre is open to the public from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Parking is available. Visitors to the Centre are able to use the collection and photocopy material for research or private study. There is a charge for photocopying. Loans are only available on a library-to-library basis. Inter-library loans can be arranged through your public, institutional or work library.
What legislation covers place naming?
Place names are covered by the Geographic Place Names Act 1998. To view the Act online, go to Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents, select Victorian Law Today and enter the name of the Act.
The principles, policies and procedures for place naming are set out in the Guidelines for Geographic Names (October 2004) made under the Geographic Place Names Act 1988.
The local council can't help me with my naming inquiry. Who can I contact?
The Office of Geographic Names can help you with answers to any detailed questions. Phone the office on (+61 3) 8636 2525, fax (+61 3) 8636 2588 or email geo.names@dse.vic.gov.au. The office is located on Level 17, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.
Where is the boundary of my suburb or rural district and what is its official name?
Maps of locality boundaries can be located here and names can be searched using VICNAMES. Details on how to change a boundary are provided on the locality maps page. You can also contact your local council to clarify a name or boundary.
I would like to name my house/property. What is the process?
The Geographic Place Names Act 1998 does not provide direction on the naming of private properties and there are no requirements or costs to name private properties.
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