THIS BIRTHDAY GIFT HARD TO FORGET
A WAURN Ponds park has been renamed in honour of a family who have owned and occupied land in the area for four generations.
Kenneth W. Baum, whose 90th birthday coincided with the official unveiling of Baum Park on Saturday, still lives on part of the property adjoining the park.
Known as ‘Claremont’, the 245-acre property was purchased by Mr Baum’s grandfather, Gottfried Baum, in the 1890s and farmed by the family for more than a century.
From 2000, most of the land was subdivided and developed into residential housing.
The park, formerly known as the Vineyard Reserve, sits on the site of the farm’s original dam.
It is now owned and managed by the Geelong council and features more than 5300sq m of open space, including a playground.
The proposal to rename the park was put forward by local resident Bruce McDonald. It was unanimously approved by council in November last year.
Mr Baum said it was wonderful to see the Baum name on the public space, and thanked the City of Greater Geelong.
“It is an honour to be around to see this park named after our family,” he said.
“Four generations of Baums have lived on this land and farmed it since the early 1890s.
“The land was fertile, and crops, fruit and veggies thrived. Marl was spread over the soil to enhance growth. Cows and chooks were also part of the farming.”
City of Greater Geelong Kardinia Ward councillor Ron Nelson said it was a pleasure to meet Mr Baum and members of his family to celebrate the renaming.
He said it was fitting the park now carried the Baum name so that their connection to the land was not forgotten.