Prominent Australians Faith Bandler AC and Sir John Sulman will have two new suburbs within the Molonglo Valley named in their honour.

The government says the new suburbs will sit within the Molonglo Valley 3 East development, which is the next significant stage of suburban development in the area. This will bring the number of suburbs in the district to seven.

Each suburb in the ACT has a theme that is used to help name the streets within them. For Bandler, the theme will be “Australian Social and Cultural Life” and in Sulman it will be “Humanities and Social Sciences”.

Ida Lessing Faith Bandler was a human rights activist, social justice advocate and author who helped raise public awareness and understanding of the cultural heritage of South Sea Islanders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as women’s issues.

Associate Professor Lilon Bandler, daughter of Faith Bandler said her mother had “an unwavering commitment to civil rights and social reform that has left an indelible mark on our history. It is deeply moving to see her legacy honoured through the naming of this new suburb in Canberra, a city she visited many, many times.

“As her daughter, I find it particularly fitting that the Division of Bandler will be located next to the Division of Whitlam. My mother often spoke of the importance of visionary leadership in creating social change.”

Sir John Sulman was an architect and town planner who helped shape Canberra in its early development and influenced the design of the city. He was appointed Knight Bachelor of the British Empire in 1924 in recognition of his influence and contributions in architecture.

His great-grandson Emeritus Professor David Carment AM said: “Members of the extended Sulman family are delighted that my great grandfather Sir John Sulman is being so very appropriately honoured.

“He deserves this recognition for his significant contributions to Australia as an architect, patron of the arts, town planner and writer, and particularly for his vital role in Canberra’s development.

“He was the unpaid but energetic chairman of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee between 1921 and 1924. The committee’s plan was adopted as the pattern for the national capital’s growth that still shapes the city today. Sulman was also closely involved in the design of the Mediterranean style Civic Centre buildings.”

The ACT Place Names Advisory Committee welcomes suggestions of names and feedback from the Canberra community. More information on the ACT Planning website.