Emma Pritchard

Following a decision by Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to continue lobbying relevant authorities to rename Shirley Way to Shirley Adams Way after the first female Mayor of Grafton at the June 27 ordinary council meeting held at the Maclean Council Chambers, the Clarence Valley Independent spoke with a number of community members and asked them to share their thoughts surrounding the Notice of Motion…

Sara O’Toole: I’m not a local, but I think if you’re going to honour someone who made such influential contributions to their local community by naming a street after them, the persons first and surname should definitely be printed on any signage, otherwise it is just confusing. I don’t think using only their given name is enough. It doesn’t sound personal, and people looking at the sign don’t make any connection with the name because it could reference anyone, not the person its intended to represent. If her full name was Shirley Adams, that’s what should be printed on the sign.

Shayne Lee: Honestly, I’m not really that bothered about the name on the sign. It still says Shirley, so it isn’t like she’s been totally overlooked. I wouldn’t bother about changing it.

Matt Carey: I support the Notice of Motion by council to change the name, so it reads Shirley Adams Way. I was actually really surprised her full name wasn’t printed on the sign when it was unveiled, and its pretty offensive, I think. As it reads now, it could reference anybody with Shirley in their name. At least with her surname on the sign, it’s a more direct link to her.

Linda Watkins: Yes, changing the sign so it says Shirley Adams Way is the right move. I remember when the Notice of Motion was first supported by council a few years ago to name the roadway Shirley Adams Way, and when I saw the sign only had her first name and not her last name on it, I was really disappointed for her and for her family, because I think its offensive. The Geographical Names Board shouldn’t dictate policies so a person’s first name can’t be used with their last name. Also, the new Grafton Bridge was named the Balun Bindarray Bridge. So, unless I can’t count properly, that was allowed to have two words in its name on its signage, but Shirley can only have her first name on hers?