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Honouring a local hero
We sought community feedback on a proposal to name the park next to the Autumn Place Community Hub ‘Agnes OBrien Park’, in honour of a beloved local resident whose dedication to Doveton left a lasting legacy.
This commemorative naming proposal recognised Agnes OBrien’s incredible service to the community and aligned with Geographic Names Victoria’s Naming Rules for Places in Victoria.
After receiving feedback from community, the park has now been approved for name change by Geographic Names Victoria’s (GNV) to Agnes OBrien Park. New signage will be installed soon.
Thank you to all that provided their feedback on this special place for our community to enjoy.
Born in Portafairy, County Down, Ireland in 1935, Agnes came to Australia at 18 and settled in Doveton in 1976. From the moment she arrived, Agnes dedicated herself to helping others, especially young people.
She was a passionate advocate for youth, encouraging kids to get involved in sport rather than spending time on the streets. Agnes visited schools, rallied the community to donate football boots, and helped launch the Vic Kick (now AusKick) program at the local footy club, where she also managed the children’s team.
Agnes worked at the local community centre, shopped at Autumn Place, and was always ready to lend a hand. Her home was a safe haven, open to anyone who needed a chat, support, or even childcare, often at no cost.
Her contributions were formally recognised with a City of Berwick Certificate of Merit in 1993, and she was nominated for Citizen of the Year. Many community members have asked that her legacy be honoured permanently.
