Eddie Russell
The voices of those against renaming Elaine Recreation Reserve will be taken into consideration by the Moorabool council.
During a meeting on Wednesday, June 5, council accepted a petition led by Elaine Cricket Club secretary Shane Dunne.
As reported by Star Weekly, a petition was put to Moorabool council from Elaine residents to rename the reserve, the Ron Read Recreation Reserve.
Mr Read, who died in 2021, was the president and member of the Elaine Recreation Reserve Community Asset Committee (ERRCAC).
Mr Dunne then created a petition against the renaming.
Now Mr Dunne claims his petition has a majority, registering 120 signatures compared to 106 that are advocating for the name to be changed.
He said further action will be taken if council moves forward with the renaming.
“To go against the majority like that is just not democracy at all,” he said.
“If this happens to go ahead there will be a mass protest at the opening. We are just not happy with this at all.”
Mr Dunne said his petition more accurately reflects the views of the Elaine community.
“The [other] petition was in a store and a lot of those names would have come from highway traffic but our 120 against is all locals and cricketers that don’t want the name changed,” he said.
Honouring the legacy of one over the hard work of many would be unfair, Mr Dunne said.
“There’s been many people over the years who have helped with the reserve. To name it after one person, I don’t think it’s the right way to go and neither do 120 residents.”
Mr Dunne said there are more pressing issues that need addressing, including a vermin infestation that is plaguing the clubrooms.
A report, based on all feedback received during the consultation period, will be brought to a future council meeting for a decision.
