Published 14 July 2022
The name of Bunbury’s new – and already hugely popular – youth precinct has been announced as Koolambidi Woola.
After significant consultation with the community, including local Wardandi Noongar Elders, the name was chosen to reflect what the facility will represent.
Koolambidi Woola translates to ‘celebrating young people’ – Koolambidi meaning ‘young people aged 12 to 25 years’ and Woola meaning ‘celebrate’.
The in-depth consultation process involved research into the history of the area, stories from local Elders and identifying key words the local community felt resonated with the precinct.
The City of Bunbury worked with key stakeholder groups from youth, skateboarding and Indigenous communities before Koolambidi Woola was selected and endorsed by local Elders, Bunbury Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and subsequently Bunbury City Council.
The City engaged a Noongar language expert to help with the translation of the name and to ensure the combination of words are culturally appropriate.
Koolambidi Woola was opened to the community on 4 July, with the precinct boasting a multi-sports court, parkour areas, mini golf, a youth services building, beach climbing net, event and performance space and more.
The project was funded through $4.5 million from the City, a $2.5 million grant from major supporter Lotterywest, $1.2 million from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and a grant from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.