NEWS
The perils of naming things after people The Magpie Whisperer There are countless things named after people, but renaming something quickly erases what went before. And that can be the catalyst for a rancorous community disagreement. In March 2016, Meadow Flat Community Hall was renamed the Mac Scott Memorial Hall by Lithgow council, and that upset some local residents. They argue that the hall (circa 1955) is now a memorial to just one person, rather than all those who actually built it. Mac Scott was a well-known local grazier and former Blaxland Shire president, who passed away in 2002. He was also the father of Marie Statham, Lithgow’s current mayor. Given the usual suspects are involved, it seems local political differences are also driving this unfortunate dispute. Things are named after people to recognise their achievements, but attitudes to people can change over time. Once tt was common to name streets after notables, and addresses are an ongoing reminder of people’s history. Just think of all the times you use a street name in everyday life. In this way it’s much more than a monument and also a much cheaper option. People’s reputations are constantly being reassessed and debate about a person’s suitability provides an opportunity to work out what the popular view of a person is. If a town is going to name something after a local identity, they’ll discuss why that person is important and evaluate their legacy in order to reach a concensus. Location names can have political motivations, too. Renaming a street is about ensuring there’s a greater democracy in how a town looks. Alternatively, naming a place after someone might be viewed as rewarding good behaviour, and could create a virtuous circle where people aim to get that kind of recognition. Nevertheless, naming things after popular
local people should be encouraged, because a strong affinity with someone local helps build civic pride. Etymologists (people who study the origin of words) claim that the people cities and towns are named after are forgotten over time, without much consequence. Place names have become just a labelling function and the name may as well be arbitrary. However, where strong family connections still exist the history isn’t soon forgotten, and the association of the name will persist for much longer. Mac Scott was an active and respected member of the Meadow Flat community for many years. But protesting residents do have a point. So, why not just name the hall the Mac Scott Community Hall? Without resolution the issue is bound to resurface, and reaching an acceptable compromise is the most pragmatic way to go, surely?
Your Say on this issue Dear Sir, My husband and I are writing to voice our disgust at the disgraceful actions of Councillors Hunter, Ticehurst and McGuinness regarding the renaming of the Meadow Flat Community Hall. We have been in the area since 1986 and without any doubt the hall should be named after Mac Scott. Mac could not have done enough for us as newcomers to the area. He was informative, helpful and we were grateful for his expertise and knowledge of the area that he passed on to us. Mac served this community all his life as did his parents before him. People have got to look at what he actually did. Do they realise he was president of the Blaxland Shire Council and was awarded recognition
for the longest serving local government person in NSW until his death in the 2002 . He served for 45 years as President of the Progress Association, 50 years as Captain and President of the Meadow Flat Bush Fire Brigade and 38 years in local government, along with 15 other committees he served on over the 50 years as well as running his farm, family and anything else that was placed in front of him. He worked tirelessly without complaint till his stroke in 1998. He was a man of integrity, selflessness and honesty, not like some of those that are around today, looking out for themselves and what they can get out of their positions. I cannot believe that Councillor Hunter would have the temerity to bring down Mac Scott’s name in such a way or was it to bring down his daughter Maree Statham the current mayor who has proudly followed in her fathers footsteps and doing a marvellous job? Councillor Hunter’s parents were very close friends of Maisie and Mac Scott and I’m very sure Alec Hunter would be ashamed and humiliated at the actions of his son if he were alive today . An absolute disgrace, those people that are implicated in this fraudulent travesty in any way along with Councillors Hunter, Ticehurst and McGuinness should hang their heads in shame! I doubt whether they could ever replicate Mac’s dedication and sacrifice to the community today as he did when he was alive. To remember him and honour his service to the community the hall should only be named after him. The naming of the hall was set in stone in 1999 as the Mac Scott Community Hall so why on earth are these people disputing this now? Anybody that is disputing this naming obviously did not know Mac Scott - Mac WAS Meadow Flat. If there is a community minded person like Mac Scott not only should a hall be named after him but a town should be, as Len Ashworth the previous Lithgow Mercury editor recently proclaimed. Yours faithfully, Charles and Annette Pearce
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