A significant contributor to Merri-bek's cultural life and diverse community, Michelle Guglielmo, will be commemorated in the naming of a new park.

Michelle Guglielmo Park is currently being built in the heart of Brunswick at 260 Sydney Road, across the road from the Brunswick Town Hall and Counihan Gallery.

It has been named after former Counihan Gallery curator Michelle Guglielmo, who significantly contributed to establishing the Counihan Gallery as a reputable contemporary arts space supporting local, national, and international artists.

Michelle, a daughter of Italian migrants, worked as the gallery curator from 2002 to 2006 and is also credited with helping the gallery secure the Noel Counihan collection. She died in 2006 from ovarian cancer.

Michelle’s twin sister Nicole Guglielmo said her family was very proud that Michelle had been recognised in this way.

“We are thrilled and amazed,” Nicole said. “People can come to the park, they can connect with art, go to the gallery (across the road) and see how art is so important to us culturally, it’s really something that needs to be celebrated and it is up to us to consciously and intentionally create that connection in our lives.”

Last year, Council asked the community to submit name suggestions for the park, then earlier this year approved a shortlist of names to be included in a poll. Community members who participated in the poll overwhelmingly supported Michelle Guglielmo Park.

Merri-bek City Council Mayor Adam Pulford said he was pleased the park would honour Michelle and her legacy.

“Michelle Guglielmo made a significant contribution to the Counihan Gallery and Merri-bek's arts community in the time she worked with Council,” Cr Pulford said.

“It’s only fitting that the new park at 260 Sydney Road in Brunswick will be named after Michelle. With the Counihan Gallery right across the road, our community will soon be able to come together to enjoy the new open space and a visit to our gallery.

“In supporting Michelle Guglielmo for the park’s name, our community has also connected this new park to Brunswick’s proud history of Italian migrants.”

The park, which is set to open in November 2024, is part of Council’s ‘A Park Close to Home’ program. This program aims to create and improve access to open space in areas of Merri-bek with no parks in walking distance, by buying land and turning it into open space.

Michelle Guglielmo Park will be a significant extension to Brunswick, featuring trees and planting, timber decks, bench seats, a lawn area, a drinking fountain, and a shade structure with integrated artwork. A new projector program will also provide a platform for the community, artists, students, and filmmakers to present work and activate the space at night.

The park’s new name has officially been gazetted in accordance with the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria.