APRIL 10, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Station name derailed By Laura Michell
Greyhounds brighten lives
(Marco De Luca)
The state government is facing a public backlash over its decision to change the name of Marymede station to Middle Gorge, with residents labelling the name “stupid” and “ridiculous”. The government recently announced that the three stations on the Mernda Rail Extension will be known as Mernda, Hawkstowe and Middle Gorge. Until now, Middle Gorge station has been known as Marymede after its proximity to Marymede Catholic College. Residents have taken to Facebook in recent days to protest the decision and to call for the name to be changed. The most popular option put forward by residents is changing South Morang station to Plenty Valley and then renaming Middle Gorge as South Morang. The government is standing by its decision, saying Middle Gorge was chosen because the station is near the “popular” Middle Gorge Park. However, the park is actually several kilometres away in the neighbouring suburb of Yarrambat in Nillumbik shire. A spokeswoman for Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the government had followed the relevant guidelines and adopted station names that reflect local character and landmarks. South Morang and Mernda Rail Alliance spokesman Darren Peters said there was “no logic” to the government’s decision. “[Middle Gorge Park] is kilometres away from Marymede station. If any commuters actually wanted to visit Middle Gorge Park from Marymede, they can’t as there are no footpaths,” he said. “You wouldn’t change the name of Flinders Street station to Fitzroy but that is essentially what they have done.” Mr Peters said the community’s suggestion made the most sense and reflected the history of the area. He called on the council and Mill Park MP Lily D’Ambrosio to campaign for a name change. “Overwhelmingly, the majority of residents don’t like the name Middle Gorge,” Mr Peters said. “Museum station is now known as Melbourne Central, Spencer Street is Southern Cross and Fairfield station was Fairfield Park but they changed the name because it is not near Fairfield Park.” The government also announced the Mernda Rail Extension is six months ahead of schedule, with test trains to be running by the end of September.
Craigieburn’s Ken Pang and Dean Robertson know the joy that an adopted greyhound can bring to your life. They adopted their greyhound, Rocket, in 2015, as part of the Greyhound Adoption Program. Rocket was the 200th greyhound fostered as part of Tarrengower Prison’s prison pet partnership with Greyhound Racing Victoria. The prisoners help prepare the greyhounds for life as a family pet by spending time socialising and exercising the dogs, helping them learn new skills such as climbing stairs, and teaching them basic obedience. Mr Robertson said Rocket had become an important part of the family in the past three years. “Greyhounds are great pets. They are a very easy dog to have, as long as you walk them for about 20 minutes each day. Rocket loves watching TV,” Mr Robertson said. The Greyhound Adoption Program will be hosting a national adoption day at The Meadows on Sunday, April 29, as part of a push to boost awareness of greyhounds as pets. The adoption day will be held at 80 Northcorp Boulevard, Broadmeadows, from 11am-3pm. Details: gap.grv.org.au KEN PANG AND ROCKET
Laura Michell
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