Two fresh faces for place names committee

Two new community members have been appointed to Baw Baw Shire’s place names advisory committee.

Bill Cropley of Ellinbank and Colin Silcock of Warragul were both endorsed by council last week.

A report to council said a vacancy was created following the resignation of Malcolm Dickson from the committee.

Council advertised the vacant position and received two applications.

Mr Cropley is currently president of Warragul and District Historical Society and Ellinbank Public Hall Committee, vice president of the Warragul Philatelic Society and a member of the Yarragon Lions Club.

Mr Silcock has lived in the shire all his life and is a long-standing member of the Warragul and District Historical Society.

Council was told he had conducted extensive research into the area’s history resulting in published articles and booklets.

Mr Silcock also is a foundation member of the West Gippsland Genealogical Society and his family links to the local area go back to 1875.

Existing community representatives on the place names committee include Rosemary Blackley, Cheryl Drayton, Liz Jenz and Mary Royce-Hall.

Council amended the committee’s terms of reference to allow six community members rather than five.

Cr Keith Cook said both Mr Cropley and Mr Silcock were appropriate appointments to the committee.

He said Mr Cropley was a “real history buff” while Mr Silcock had a huge interest in history and his personal collection was second to none.