By Victoria Stone-Meadows
A precinct structure plan (PSP) in the southern reaches of Casey is still using the name of a WWI veteran that has no connection to the region, despite the discovering being made two years ago.
The McPherson PSP was named for what was believed to be a digger from Clyde but an investigation by a local historian in 2015 proved that to be untrue.
Jane Rivett-Carnac, from the Narre Warren and District Family History Group, found no definitive links to confirm a man named McPherson, or his family, lived in the Clyde area during WWI.
Ms Rivett-Carnac believes listings in National Archives referring to Clyde actually appeared to be shortened references to the suburb of Clydesdale near Daylesford, to the north-west of Melbourne.
However, years on and the PSP is still being referred to as McPherson in all communication from the Victorian Planning Authority, Casey Council and the Office of the Planning Minister.
Another local historian, Joan Vanderhorn, recently wrote the Planning Minister Richard Wynn to again bring to his attention the error made in naming the PSP.
“I provided the evidence that no soldier by the name of McPherson ever lived or worked in Clyde prior or during WWI,” Ms Vanderhorn said.
“The people of that time, c1918-1919, proudly listed service men and woman who had attended Clyde school or lived or worked in Clyde; even service personnel who had left Clyde before commencement of WWI are listed on that roll.”
“I also have in my possession a copy of the records from the Cranbourne branch of the RSL listing the men and women from the Clyde area who enlisted for WWI.”
“No person with the family name of McPherson is in the Clyde record of WWI military service.”
All parties have said McPherson is a temporary working-name and once the new PSP and suburb are established, a more suitable name will be chosen.
“The name hasn’t changed yet because it is temporary; there is a process where the office of geographic names will name places with community input,” a spokesperson for the planning minister said.
“Council will consider a report at a future Council meeting recommending names for a new suburb in Clyde North, the area in which the McPherson PSP covers,” City of Casey Principal Property Advisor Peter Gillieron said.
“The naming options will be released for public consultation.”
Ms Rivett-Carnac said it was disappointing the authorities had not corrected the naming error yet but is still hopeful the new suburb will be named for a local war veteran.
“The name McPherson has no local connection,” she said.
“I thought the ideal name would have been Ridgeway apart from being a local family with Anzac connection the land in question is slightly undulating.”
