The Andrews-led Labor Government in Victoria has been labelled “tone deaf” after deciding to rename Maroondah Hospital after the late Queen Elizabeth.
Mr. Andrews announced on Sunday if he is re-elected in November, he will redevelop and rename the hospital in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and in recognition of her steadfast dedication to healthcare and our community.
Pledging $850 million for an upgrade would include two six-storey in-patient towers housing more than 200 extra beds, a new emergency department, and new operating theatres.
The decision has been met with criticism from the public, with many feeling that it is inappropriate to rename a hospital after a monarch who presided over a period of great inequality and poverty.
“Maroondah” is an Aboriginal word that means “throwing leaves,” according to the Maroondah council website.
Many people are upset with the decision to change the name, feeling that it is a loss of history.
“Maroondah Hospital is the only hospital in Victoria with an Aboriginal name,” wrote Melbourne-based hand and wrist surgeon Dr Neela Janakiramanan in response to the news.
Claire Coleman, a Noongah woman and author, wrote that she is opposed to the renaming of Maroondah Hospital to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
As of Monday morning, more than 1600 people had signed the change.org petition that she shared.
“This move is very regressive and it hinders building meaningful goodwill for genuine reconciliation with first nations people. We are currently on the road to treaty and truth telling and this move does not help,” she said.
