Tara Murray
Calls to rename the Elaine Recreation Reserve are splitting the small Moorabool community in half.
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).
“We feel that it would be a lasting tribute to a man who put in more than 30 years tending to his much loved reserve for the benefit of the entire community,” the community members said.
The council accepted the petition and is now conducting a 30-day community consultation process with stakeholders affected by the proposed renaming.
The topic has created much debate in local community pages, with many people for the change and many against it.
Elaine Cricket Club secretary Shane Dunne said the club, which plays at the reserve, didn’t believe that the reserve should be named after Mr Read.
“We never got asked about it and we only found out about it last week,” he said. “Being a user group down there we thought they should have spoken with us.
“The cricket club unanimously voted against it. Even though Ron did a lot of good, we don’t think the ground should be named after just one person.
“They don’t call Victoria Park, Peter McKenna Park or Kardinia Park, Gary Ablett Park.”
Mr Dunne said they were happy for Mr Read to be recognised at the reserve in another way, including maybe a plaque.
“There’s more than 100 people who have done work and the ground,” he said. “He never played any sport down there and his relatives don’t live in the area.
“We have got about the same number as people who signed the petition who are against it. We don’t want to split the community, but unfortunately it is splitting the community.
Moorabool chief executive Derek Madden said council officers will make the decision following feedback from residents at a later council meeting.
“Council received a petition from the Elaine community to rename the Elaine Recreation Reserve to Ron Read Recreation Reserve.
“Council has put this out for public consultation and we’re encouraging anyone who has an interest in this to have their say on the proposal.”
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