Road renaming an ode to Drysdale Anzacs

THE construction of the Drysdale Bypass has again recognised local Anzacs during the road renaming process, honouring Drysdale’s Jack Gilchrist Dunn and Edwards Harding Mayall.

The City of Greater Geelong council approved the new names of Gilchrist Street (formerly Gilles Road) between Andersons Road and Reserve Road; and Mayall Way (formerly Collins Street) running north east from Portarlington Road/Collins Street to Drakes Road.

The renaming also included Redgum Place (formerly Drakes Road) between Portarlington Road and Drysdale Bypass, inspired by the red gums in the area believed to be several centuries old.

The latest renamed roads join three Anzac-inspired roads approved in December. Fellow Drysdale Anzacs Winifred Mae Benham; Nicholas Lawrence McKiernan and William Mercer Hackwill were the inspiration for:

• Benham Street (formerly Princess Street) to the Andersons Road intersection
• McKiernan Street (formerly Andersons Road) between Grubb Road and Princess Street, and
• Hackwill Place (formerly Jetty Road) off Portarlington Road.

The renamings are necessary as the Drysdale Bypass project has shortened nine roads, and road naming rules do not allow for suffixes (east, west etc) to be used.

The six-kilometre-long bypass between Jetty Road and Whitcombes Road aims to improve safety and ease congestion on the Bellarine Peninsula, and is expected to be finished by mid-year.

The council did not support the renaming of Clarendon Road between Andersons Road and Buccleugh Street to Waterson Road, and requested that the chief executive officer further consider the change and report back to the council.

The city will also carry out more consultation about Whitcombes Road with affected property owners and residents.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the council was pleased to again be honouring those who served.

“I’m pleased to see two more local Anzacs are being honoured in Drysdale, as Bellarine Peninsula has a proud history of service.

“Thank you to the affected residents for their feedback and patience during this process, which is unavoidable due to state policy.”

Cr Antony Aitken, chair of the finance portfolio, said he was pleased that four more roads had been renamed.

“I’m sure the descendants of the two Anzacs will feel proud to find out about the name changes, further cementing their relatives’ ties to Drysdale.

“It’s also pleasing to see the ancient red gums recognised, as they are a big feature in the area.”