Road name tribute

A road in Stawell will honour the legacy of a long-serving family in the area.

Northern Grampians Shire Council voted to name the unnamed road between Horsham and Grampians roads as ‘Maddocks Road’ — in line with its practice to recognise the contribution of early families to the area. It will recognise the former location of the Maddocks Cordial Factory and the contribution of the Maddocks family to Stawell for more than 144 years.

“Jane Maddocks and her son John sailed from England and arrived and settled in Stawell in 1864 to live closer to his uncle. John Maddocks lived and worked along the unnamed road after he took over running the aerated water and cordial factory which he inherited from his uncle, for more than 20 years until his death in July 1898,” a report to the council read.

“In 1878 John married Janet Hyslop and had four children who grew up in Stawell — John, William, Jeannie and Jessie.

“John was held in high regard as he worked actively in the community as a member of the Stawell Band and the Stawell Volunteer Fire Brigade, in which he held the position of captain for many years until his death in 1898.

“When John passed away, the cordial factory continued to be operated by John and Janet’s sons, John and William Maddocks for a few more years until the business closed.”

The council has liaised with family member Ron Maddocks to seek agreement to the road name.

Cr Kevin Erwin said the process to name the road had taken some months to ‘come to light’ — but was a ‘fitting tribute’.

Gender Equity Victoria is working with Geographic Names Victoria to better promote equality in place naming and commemoration through its ‘Put her name on it’ campaign.

Council officers liaised with Stawell Historical Society and the Maddocks family for records to recognise notable women in the family but, like many women of the era, no formal records could be obtained.

Cr Lauren Dempsey, the only councillor to vote against the motion, called on the council to name more streets and historical sites after the region’s influential women.