Creating a lasting legacy in our city

Imagine telling your friends, family or grandchildren that you had a hand in naming a local park or reserve.

This will become reality for eight Wodonga residents who sit on the council's latest Place Names Advisory Committee.

The committee, made up of a diverse group of two men and six women aged from 31 to 87, had their first meeting in the council chamber this week.

Committee member and former police officer, Ceryn Campbell, knows how important it is to have streets and locations clearly and accurately named and identified.

"In an emergency, it's really important to have street and place names that are not easily confused," she said.

Ceryn was also keen to join the committee as she has an interest in history.

Each year the council names a range of parks and reserves across the city and the group will play a large role in advising the council on these names.

Hannah Neumayer, the youngest member at 31, grew up in Wodonga and is keen to support her community.

"I really believe place names turn a place into a space," she said.

"I love that stories (of a community) come from names and places.”

Another community member, Bryan Gleeson, agreed with Hannah.

"I like to know where names come from and driving around town you see names and some make you understand where they come from and some are not as easily understood," he said.

"I like the idea of understanding their significance.”

A member of the former Yackandandah council, Doug Heiner, is serving his third term on the committee.

The oldest committee member at 87, Doug was born in Wodonga and while he moved away for a time, he returned in 1999 and was on Yackandandah Council (now Indigo Shire Council) for 19 years.

“I’ve always been interested in community activities and I was keen to see history retained in Wodonga," he said.

He’s able to recall names and places from when he was a child and would like to see those recognised and continue.

Chairperson Wodonga Cr Libby Hall started her first term on the committee last year.

" I am very interesting to learn and discover the city’s history and culture," she said.

"I was surprised to learn so much after living here for 33 years.

“(The committee has) a great array of community members with different experiences and I think we’ll be able to really add value to the town when it comes to making decisions (about names).”

Historical Society member Uta Wiltshire, Aboriginal community member Donna Sherwen, as well as Janette Mattey and Hannah Little (not pictured) make up the rest of the committee.

The committee will meet four times a year.