Discarding German names in Doncaster 1916

The petition received at the January meeting of the Doncaster shire council signed by F. Zerbe and 22 other residents of Bismark, Wilhelm, and Waldau roads, requesting that these roads be re-named, and suggesting that the names be substituted of King street, Queen's avenue, and Wetherby road, was dealt with at the meeting of that body on Tuesday night, February 8. - Cr. Pickering pointed out there was a Queen's avenue in Doncaster al-ready, though it had not yet been taken over by the council. He had spoken to some of the petitioners about that. There was a suggestion that the name should be George street, and they were quite satisfied with that. Since this petition had been received, similar action was being taken, not only in Doncaster, but in Box Hill, Heidelberg, Hawthorn, and other places, as those names were not much thought of at the present time, and it would be a good thing if these were changed. He (Cr. Pickering) moved that the request be acceded to, with the exception of Queen's avenue, to be replaced by George street. With regard to Wetherby road, it was foolish to have that name on one side, and Bismark street on the other. - ln seconding the motion, Cr. Crouch thought if they were going to change Bismark street, they should call it George street right through. The president (Cr. Zerbe) was also in favor of wiping Wetherby road right out, and suggested that some other name be fitted in - Cr. McNamara asked who the street was named after. There may have been some good reason for giving it that nomenclature. - Cr. Tully contended that no monarch had been held in greater regard than Victoria, and if that title were given to the street from the main road it would not clash with any other name. - Cr. Crouch likewise supported calling it Victoria road in lieu of Wetherby road, and the motion was altered accordingly and agreed to. The following names will now be substituted :- Wilhelm street to be called King street; Waldau road to be George street; and Bismark road to be Victoria road.

1916 'DISCARDING GERMAN NAMES.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 18 February, p. 2. , viewed 22 May 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75164841