Community consultation opens on proposed name ‘Colquhoun Lane’ at Barkly Square

The City of Ballarat invites the community to provide feedback on the proposed naming of a laneway at Barkly Square as ‘Colquhoun Lane’, in honour of former prominent local artist and art teacher Amalie Colquhoun.

The name was submitted by a descendant of Amalie Colquhoun through the Victorian Government’s Remember a Local, Name a Place campaign, an initiative run by Geographic Names Victoria.

The campaign, launched last year, aims to ensure public spaces reflect Victoria’s rich diversity and history by inviting the community to nominate people who have made a significant impact to the state or their community in areas like healthcare, science, the arts or public service.

Amalie Colquhoun, pronounced Kuh-hoon, (1894-1974) was a landscape and portrait painter who is represented in national and state galleries.  

Amalie played a significant role in art education in the region, attending the Ballarat Technical Art School and becoming its art mistress. Amalie also designed and supervised the construction of stained-glass windows at three of Ballarat’s churches.

Her contribution to local culture and learning makes her a fitting namesake for the laneway at the Barkly Square education and training precinct.

The unnamed lane runs between Barkly Street and Princes Street South. It provides access to Barkly Square and parking spaces. Naming the unnamed lane will improve navigation and make identification easier.

The proposal aligns with a broader push to address the underrepresentation of women in place names across Victoria.  

The City of Ballarat is one of three councils selected to participate in a gender equity pilot initiative, which seeks to close the gender gap in commemorative naming and better reflect the diversity of people who have shaped local history.

The Finding Her Research Hub pilot, led by the Her Place Women’s Museum and funded by Geographic Names Victoria, provides research assistance and supports naming decisions.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the proposed name of Colquhoun Lane is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of a remarkable local woman.

“Place names tell stories about our community and the people who have contributed to it,” she said.

“By honouring women like Amalie Colquhoun, we are making local history more inclusive and representative of our broader community.”

Speaking on behalf of the Victorian Government, the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said that the campaign was another example of ensuring more of our public spaces reflect the rich diversity and history of Victoria.

“The Remember a Local, Name a Place campaign acknowledges the many remarkable and diverse Victorians who have played a significant role in shaping their local communities - this is about honouring their contributions and ensuring our public spaces tell the full story of our state’s history.”

“We’re inviting all Victorians to nominate someone like Amalie, who has left a lasting impact on Ballarat and our state, to be commemorated in their own place name.”

Putting more women on the map

Residents are encouraged to nominate outstanding women to be honoured in the names of new places and roads.

To address this, Victoria has set a target to have 70 per cent of all new commemorative place naming after women as part of Our Equal State, Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2027.  

The State Government’s Remember a Local, Name a Place campaign also welcomes nominations of outstanding individuals from other underrepresented groups, including First Nations people, LGBTIQA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and culturally diverse communities.

To make a nomination, residents can complete the naming survey at engage.vic.gov.au/name-a-place.

Naming places

The City of Ballarat is responsible for naming or renaming places within the municipality, including roads, parks, reserves and other public spaces.

The community can submit suggestions on names of any outstanding local community members who are eligible for commemoration to the City of Ballarat Naming Officer at info@ballarat.vic.gov.au.

Community members are encouraged to review the proposal for Colquhoun Lane and provide submissions during the consultation period, which runs until Monday 6 October, 2025.

Residents can view the proposal and make submissions online at MySay.

Submissions can also be made in writing, marked as NP245 Unnamed Lane at Barkly Square - Colquhoun Lane and mailed to: The Naming Officer, Property and Facilities, City of Ballarat, PO Box 655, Ballarat 3353 or emailed to info@ballarat.vic.gov.au.