A significant decision was made by the Lake Macquarie City Council regarding the renaming of a creek associated with a disgraced priest. The council voted to rename Kennedy Creek to Maraikaan Creek to erase any links to Monsignor Roger Kennedy, who faced serious allegations of child sexual abuse. The decision aims to support survivors and reflects a commitment to addressing the community’s concerns.
Kennedy Creek, a 750-metre watercourse in Gateshead, flows from St Paul’s Primary School and south through St Mary’s College. The name “Maraikaan” was selected for its cultural significance, embodying the Awabakal people’s heritage and identity. Various alternative names were considered, but Maraikaan was chosen for its holistic representation of land and spirit.
The push for this renaming originated from a request made by the Clergy Abused Network (CAN) in October 2022, which urged the council to change the creek’s name with the Geographical Names Board. The creek had been named after Kennedy in 2008, following his involvement in establishing local educational institutions.
In a related context, the council also discussed renaming the Belmont Sporting Complex to the Lake Macquarie Sports Precinct and Lumsden Oval to John Hook Oval. However, this proposal met with resistance, prompting a deferral for further community consultation. Labor councillor Keara Conroy expressed gratitude to CAN for their advocacy and emphasized the importance of supporting survivors and their families.
West Ward Labor councillor Madeline Bishop reinforced the need for careful consideration, stating, “This needs to be done, so let’s just get it done.” Despite this sentiment, the council voted to delay the name changes at the Belmont complex. Councillor Christine Buckley raised concerns regarding the timing of renaming Lumsden Oval to honor John Hook, who passed away on June 3, 2023. She noted the council’s policy requiring individuals to be deceased for at least five years before being honored with a name change.
The Belmont Sports Complex Operating Committee, which includes representatives from various local sports clubs, will be consulted for feedback on the proposed name changes. Councillor Buckley highlighted the importance of adhering to established naming criteria, stating, “We need to look at this and not set a precedent.”
In a bid to increase the representation of women in local sports facility naming, Liberal councillor Matt Schultz suggested honoring a female athlete from Lake Macquarie. He pointed out that only five out of 159 parks in the city are named after women who have made significant contributions.
The council’s commitment to transforming the Belmont Sports Complex into Lake Macquarie’s regional sporting hub reflects broader ambitions. They have already invested $14 million in improvements, with plans to enhance the city’s branding on a national level. Mayor Adam Shultz supported delaying the decision but emphasized that renaming the complex is about more than just a name change; it is an opportunity to elevate the profile of Lake Macquarie.
As the council engages with community stakeholders, the outcomes of these discussions are expected to shape the identity of local sporting facilities and reflect the values of the community.
