Today, Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS) hosted an official opening ceremony to launch the Yhuuramulum building, a newly built multi-purpose learning space on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
The launch presented the opportunity to celebrate the opening of the facility with the CGGS community, and to unveil the name of the new building, selected from the large number of entries lodged during the School’s community-wide naming competition in late 2017.
“We were pleased with the response to the naming competition with submissions from students, staff, parents, Grammarians and members of the School Board,” said CGGS Principal, Anne Coutts.
“I am delighted that we were able to involve the whole school community in the naming competition for this latest addition to our facilities,” continued Ms Coutts.
All proposed names were to meet criteria to be considered by the judging panel. To be selected, the name had to: 1) link to the history of CGGS; 2) relate to the local Canberra region; and/or 3) celebrate the achievements of women.
Year 7 CGGS student Charlotte Young’s entry was selected as the winner and inspired the name Yhuuramulum, a traditional Ngunnawal word that means ‘to dream’.
“It is a testament to the thoughtfulness and quality of her entry, that Charlotte Young, a current year 7 student, was selected as the winner,” stated Ms Coutts.
“Not only did Charlotte’s entry really capture the essence of the School’s motto ‘To the young anything is possible’, her submission also reflected thoughtfully on the history of the local indigenous people”, said Ms Coutts.
“This is made all the more significant as we open Yhuuramulum during Reconciliation Week, a day after the ACT held its first legislated public holiday on Reconciliation Day, recognising the contribution of Indigenous Australians to our nation.”, continued Ms Coutts.
Today’s launch event began with a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony led by Auntie Violet, a Ngunnawal elder. The building was then officially opened by Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive of the Australian Academy of Science, who also revealed the new name.
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Ms Arabia officially open the new multi-purpose building, and to be part of this historical milestone for CGGS,” said the Chair of the CGGS Board, Belinda Moss.
The two-storey Yhuuramulum building was designed to take advantage of the amazing location and vista of Yarralumla Bay, with the upper floor offering multiple configuration options – suitable for entire year levels right down to small collaborative groups – and featuring a commercial café that will be open to the general public and available for use by the School community.
Yhuuramulum will be used to deliver the new curriculum, with students having access to both the upper floor multi-purpose spaces and the ground floor STEM workshop and rowing facilities.
“We already have groups of students working on exciting environmental science projects and our rowing girls are thrilled with their new home,” said Ms Moss.
For more information on CGGS, visit www.cggs.act.edu.au
