Released 04/01/2016
Visitors driving around one of the ACT’s newest suburbs can receive an enlightening introduction to the nation’s rich musical legacy by checking out the street signs says ACT Planning Minister Mick Gentleman.
"Moncrieff is a celebration of Australian music in all its forms. While the established Belconnen suburb of Melba has a focus on Australian musicians of renown, the newer Gungahlin suburb of Moncrieff has a broader scope, celebrating all things musical", Mr Gentleman said.
"One of Moncrieff’s streets is named after Canberra’s own music critic W L Hoffman while Bandstand Street is named after the popular TV show that launched Col Joye, Little Pattie, The Bee Gees and Olivia Newton-John.
"Elsewhere in Moncrieff new residents will soon be living in a crescent named after ACDC front man Bon Scott who tragically died at the age of 33.
Moncrieff road names also honour Indigenous musicians and singers such as Jimmy Little, Harold Blair, Ruby Hunter and didjeridu player Alan Dargin, as well as two musical instruments – the Aboriginal ‘yidaki’ of north-east Arnhem Land, and the traditional Torres Strait Islander drum – the ‘warup’.
Road naming in Moncrieff involved research by staff of the ACT Place Names Unit, liaison with the National Library and the National Film and Sound Archive, and a review of nominations from the general public. Those names that could be used without causing confusion with existing Canberra road names were then examined by the ACT Place Names Committee, and after consultation with relevant families, submitted for approval.
Surveyor-General of the ACT and Co-Chair of the ACT Place Names Committee Jeffrey Brown said that while a great deal of research went into the choice of street names in a new suburb, the sheer breadth of musical talent on show in Moncrieff was exceptional.
"I was particularly delighted that Australia’s iconic mouth organ company was commemorated through naming Crackerjack Way as I am a keen player and am lucky enough to own several different types of harmonica."
The suburb is named after soprano Gladys Lillian Moncrieff, affectionately known as ‘Our Glad’, who became a legend singing to troops in World War II and in Korea.
In 1927, the Canberra National Memorials Committee, in a report to the Federal Parliament on the Naming of Canberra's Streets and Suburbs, proposed that street names in Canberra's suburbs follow a theme. This policy (one of the oldest in the ACT) has been followed to this day.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
Media Contacts
| Name | Phone | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|