Electorate should be Sutcliffe
A Drouin historian is putting forward the name “Sutcliffe” as an alternative to Monash for the proposed renaming of the McMillan electorate.
Keith Cook, speaking as a member of the Drouin and District Historical Group, said local pioneer John Sutcliffe was a more appropriate and fitting name for the region.
John Sutcliffe arrived in Crossover around 1865, establishing and running accommodation and hotels in Crossover, Drouin and Korumburra as well as serving on Buln Buln Shire Council for 12 years.
Mr Cook said he would be thrilled if an indigenous or historic female name was put forward, “but I’ve got no thoughts”.
“We feel John Sutcliffe is a more appropriate name than McMillan or Monash,” said Mr Cook. “He was here right at the early days, before Drouin and Warragul were even here. He led the way in development of Drouin and Korumburra.”
Mr Cook said Sir John Monash already had his name on the Monash Freeway and Monash Hospital whilst John Sutcliffe had not one road or park named in his honour.
“There’s no doubt Monash was an unbelievable guy, but we need something of our own I think. Something that’s representative of our own electoral division.”
Mr Cook is well versed on John Sutcliffe’s life, telling his story as part of recent historical talks at the Drouin Ficifolia Festival.
Mr Sutcliffe was said to be well-liked and charismatic, with hundreds lining the streets of Korumburra upon his sudden death in 1895.
Born in 1841 in Keighley, England, John Sutcliffe was 23-years-old when he arrived in Victoria.
Mr Sutcliffe ran accommodation at Crossover Junction, just past where Settlement Rd is today, in 1869. It was later known as “Sutcliffe’s Hotel”.
Seeing huge potential in Drouin, he built the Sutcliffe Family Hotel, now known as the Family Hotel, in 1878.
He was a Buln Buln Shire councillor from 1880/81 to 1892/93, including a stint as president in 1888. He was also integral in the establishment of the Anglican Church and served on the state school board.
Mr Sutcliffe also established a stage coach service, which had mail routes to Neerim South and Poowong.
Sutcliffe later moved his focus to Korumburra, building the Sutcliffe Building in 1891 and the Austral Hotel in 1894.
The Redistribution Committee for Victoria has released proposed Federal electoral divisions for Victoria.
Objections or comments can be lodged y 6pm Friday, May 18. Written objections must be received by Friday, May 4 at 6pm.