ONLY six months ago I wrote to then mayor Mick Morland complimenting the City of Casey on the wonderful Pioneers Park.
However, I was very disappointed to see recently that the City of Casey has allowed the Berwick Rotary Club to attach a sign on the rotunda honouring one of its members.
May I make it clear that I have no issue with the individual, Bill Minns, who has, no doubt, worked hard for the Berwick area in many different ways. Good for him!
There are two matters that I wish to comment on.
Firstly, the need to single out a particular person by naming a park or public building after them.
I thought (hoped) those days of self-aggrandisement were over.
While one individual may be very committed to their community and achieve much, I believe we should remember that groups of people, our community, in fact, work together to achieve success and this is as it should be, and what we should foster.
Secondly, my comments relate to the aesthetics of the sign.
This park, with its heritage, formality and beautifully tended gardens is, in my opinion, cheapened by the new sign.
It is tacky and tasteless and makes the statement that the rotunda belongs to Bill Minns whereas the plaque above tells us the Berwick Rotary Club gave the rotunda to the community.
The only positive is that the sign is not easily visible until one is standing in front of it and then it certainly makes a loud and bold statement.
Where is the subtlety to match the park and its other signage? Whose rotunda is it?
There are two small plaques either side of the sign at a height that renders them almost illegible, certainly for children.
Had these signs been mounted near the steps of the rotunda where we could read them with ease it would have been a quite appropriate way of paying tribute to the Berwick Rotary Club and Bill Minns and in keeping with the other larger plaque on the rock nearby.
A large white tin sign with bold black letters is, in my opinion, and that of many park users I have consulted, ugly and in no way blends with the current aesthetics of the park.
I would be happy to see the sign removed and the plaques lowered and to know that in the near future The City of Casey reviews its naming policy so as to recognise community work over individual honour.
Margaret Edwards,
Berwick.
