Ovens and Murray, and local sporting royalty Neil Davis has now been formally commemorated with the name of the access road to the ‘Grove’ officially named ‘Neil Place’.
While the proposed name of ‘Neil Place’ was put forward to commemorate Neil Davis, who had a strong connection to the Yarrawonga area and known for his contributions particularly to YFNC and the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club, in June, a community consultation was to ensue for 30 days in accordance with the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria and Council’s Community Engagement Policy.
Several residents took part in the consultation with no objections received to the proposal to commemorate Neil Davis through the naming of the road, however many indicated a preference with Neil’s full name used as ‘Neil Place’ does not categorically indicate that it is Neil Davis that the road is named after and this would give more of a personal recognition.
According to the Moira Shire Council ordinary meeting agenda for August 28, the agenda states that when council prepares a naming proposal it must ensure that any chosen name adheres to the ‘Naming Rules’.
Geographic Names Victoria had also been consulted throughout the process where it was determined the only way that council could commemorate Neil Davis in the naming of this road, was by using the name Neil.
Moira Shire Chair Administrator Graeme Emonson said it is fitting after many years of support, for this name to commemorate a large figure in Yarrawonga’s landscape.
“It is very, very fitting that we are supporting a commemorating by way of the road that recognises in perpetuity the contribution that Neil David made to this precinct,” Mr Emonson said.
“There has been a lot of support over a long period of time for us to progress and support recognition and that is evidenced again in the 13 submissions we gained.
“Given the quest for the contribution of Neil Davis to be recorded and be prominent in perpetuity, we will be engaging further with the family to understand how we might be able to appropriately commemorate Neil’s contribution in a way that will recognise that Neil Place is named after Neil Davis.
“We look forward to engaging with Neil’s family as we pursue those options and ultimately find a solution for that.”
Yarrawonga Football Netball Club President Ross Mulquiney said the YFNC and JC Lowe Reserve Committee is pleased after significant and lengthy lobbying to see the six-year-old entry road to the Grove Oval complex named in honour of Neil.
“Not only was Neil an accomplished player and premiership coach in 1989, he was a role model and leader of the community,” Mr Mulquiney said.
“Fittingly Neil’s four daughters, each themselves premiership stars for the Pigeons netball A Grade (along with Rae, Neil’s wife), will be able to enter the ground to watch their children (Neil’s grandchildren) with what is hopefully a fitting acknowledgement to the contribution Neil made to community and to the area.”
Neil’s widow Raelene said the family was “very touched” with the proposed naming after their husband and father of four daughters, Rebecca, Sarah, Kristy and Laura.
“We’re very humbled,” Rae said. “It’s going to be a very special day when it happens. “The area meant so much to Neil, regarding football, netball, tennis and swimming.”
Daughter Sarah Wollington said that when Ross (Mulquiney) first spoke to the family about his plans the family was so humbled the club was working on something special for Neil who “absolutely breathed and loved football and netball at the Grove oval complex”.
“It’s just absolutely gratifying that Dad means that much to the football netball club. It’s a beautiful reward – not just for our family but for the whole community,” Sarah said.
“It will just mean that much more to us when we take our kids down that entrance road with his name on it.”