New Belmont lane name

AN UNNAMED laneway in Belmont will become Bechervaise Lane, in honour of the late teacher, author, poet, photographer and Antarctic explorer John Bechervaise.
The laneway between Killara Court and Williams Street provides rear access to 62 properties, including blocks facing Digby Avenue.
Mr Bechervaise had lived at nearby 185 Roslyn Road, in an area where other laneways are also named in honour of explorers.
According to the Geelong College’s history records, Mr Bechervaise, born in 1910, was a staff member at the Geelong College from 1935-1936 and 1945-1949 and a pioneering leader of the House of Guilds, leading a series of expeditions for the college community and students.
He also led numerous expeditions after leaving the college in 1949 and was the first to enter Antarctica’s Prince Charles Mountains.
Mount Bechervaise is named after him and Lake Lorna in the Mawson Range honours Mr Bechervaise’s wife.
Bechervaise Island, about three kilometres from Mawson Base on Heard Island was also named in his honour and in 1956 he was awarded the Polar Medal.
He returned to teaching from 1962 to 1972 at Geelong Grammar School as director of studies, and over his life, published 28 books.
After sending letters and surveys regarding the Bechervaise Lane naming proposal, to the 62 property owners along the lane, 15 survey responses were received, with 13 in favour and two against.
Those against the explorer’s name, proposed calling the laneway “The Lane” or “Reynolds Lane” however neither complied with naming rules, and the city will now submit the name Bechervaise Lane to the Office of Geographical Names for official registration.