Council is seeking community feedback on the proposal to rename Selandra Recreation Reserve, located at Heather Grove, Cranbourne East. The location of this reserve was historically owned by the Hunter family from 1908 to 1953.

The Hunter family were very active in the Clyde community through their involvement with tennis and cricket, as well as their membership and leadership roles on school committees. They were also involved with the Country Women's Association, and taking part in local entertainment and ceremonies.

Inez Hunter (1896-1953) was an avid tennis player and also part of the local tennis club management. Inez also enjoyed singing and studied at the London College of Music, performing at Melbourne Town Hall and receiving notable accolades for her soprano vocal talent.

In 1918, Inez worked as an Assistant Teacher at Clyde Primary School and would instruct the younger students in sewing, reading, spelling and arithmetic, and also introduced singing and drama productions to create some amazing concerts for fund raising or celebrating the end of year Christmas concert. The Christmas concerts held in the Clyde Public Hall became a community tradition for the next 50 years.

Inez became the longest serving female Assistant Teacher in the history of Clyde, having a lasting impact on future generations in the local area. Inez encouraged a cultural emphasis to children's learning, who would normally be denied access to such quality insight due to their isolation from city life. She also championed families to let their daughters’ study further at high school to gain enrichment not available in local Grade 7 and 8 studies.

Council is proposing to rename Selandra Recreation Reserve to Inez Hunter Recreation Reserve, in recognition of her personal contribution and legacy to the local Clyde community and beyond. Importantly, should Inez Hunter be endorsed by Council, it will become the first reserve in Casey to be named after a female.

How to have your say

Members of the public can provide feedback regarding this proposal by the following methods:

• Mail: PO Box 1000, Narre Warren Vic 3805
• e-mail: streetaddressing@casey.vic.gov.au
• website: https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/contact-us
• providing a submission below

Any feedback or submissions must be received within 30 days of the date of this notification.

The consultation will be open until 5.00 pm on 2 June 2023.

Current aerial view of Selandra Recreation Reserve