By BRIDGET COOK
THE City of Casey has embraced an initiative to honour our bravest soldiers in the lead- up to the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing next year.
Last week, Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced the Victorian Government’s Anzac Commemorative Naming Project.
The initiative aims to encourage councils to pay homage and tribute to local military heroes, famous battles, significant events and landmarks from World War I and II by naming new suburbs, streets, public places and Precinct Structure Plans (PSP) after them.
The City of Casey is the first council to embrace the project, having already put forward two Anzac-themed suggestions to the Metropolitan Planning Authority.
The council has suggested the names McPherson and Croskell, which may be used to refer to the Clyde East and Casey Central PSP during the planning stage.
Athold Croskell was a Cranbourne soldier who served in World War I and received a bravery award for his services.
McPherson recognises three members of the McPherson family who were born in the Clyde area and served in World War I.
City of Casey acting manager strategic development David Wilkinson said the council would also encourage developers in Casey to consider recognising local historical connections to the World War I in Gallipoli with the naming of streets and public places, in accordance with the Anzac Commemorative Naming Project.
Mr Guy said the naming project aimed to honour the significant contribution that everyday people had made to Australia’s military activities and our way of life.
“Every new suburb deserves its own identity, but these new developments should also connect with the history of their local areas,” he said.
“This project will provide suburbs with a unique identity and honour Victoria’s military history by applying locally generated Anzac-themed names to future precincts and precincts that have been planned but are yet to be developed.
“This is not about names on a map. This pays respect to our brave soldiers and ensures that their memory lives on in perpetuity for generations to come.
“A great day for Victoria and a great day for our Anzacs.”
