What should we call the new primary school currently being finalised in Lucas?
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The Victorian government is asking for your views ahead of the school's opening next year.
The choice presented on the state government's consultation website is between Lucas Primary School and Mullawallah Primary School.
Alternative suggestions are also invited by the deadline of July 26.
Mullawallah was a Wadawurrung man, thought to be the last of the Ballaarat tribe.
His name is already well known in the area. An indigenous elder, also known as William Wilson or "King Billy", he lived in the area during the late 19th century.
Janice Newton, who used to be a sociology lecturer in Ballarat and subsequently researched a book, Mullawallah: The Last King Billy of Ballarat, called him "a respected person" who was introduced to the then governor.
She became fascinated by his story after discovering how well attended his funeral in 1896.
A proposal to use his name for a new suburb planned for the rapidly expanding Ballarat West Growth Area was the subject of widespread attention back in 2014 and 2015.
Mullawallah was dropped as a potential name for the suburb after the then council received a number of submissions against the idea.
More than 100 protests opposed the name, citing concerns over the number of syllables, pronunciation and difficulties the name might cause the emergency services.
At a council meeting in December 2014, the majority of councillors voted to abandon the proposal.
Ballarat Aboriginal elder Ted Lovett at the time described the decision as "very disappointing", saying the name rolled off the tongue like Wangaratta or Benalla.
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The story was reported around the world with some accusing Ballarat of racism for rejecting the name, although this was strongly denied by community organisers.
The suburb was eventually called Winter Valley. Mullawallah's name was subsequently given to the winter swamp area in Cardigan.
Mr Lovett told The Courier that naming the school after the indigenous leader would be a good way of keeping his name alive. Cr Belinda Coates, who advocated strongly for the suburb to be named Mullawallah back in 2014, said Mullawallah had an "amazing" story and the school provided a great opportunity for his name to be used.
The decision for the naming of the new primary school in the suburb will be announced in the final term of this year.
Construction work for the new school began last December. The $17.1-million school will service one of the most rapidly expanding populations in the region and is set to cater for 475 students once completed.
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