Gladys Sanderson Park Naming Proposal

Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to name a reserve in Noojee after Gladys Sanderson.

We’re proposing to name Noojee’s Streamside Reserve the 'Gladys Sanderson Park' after local hero Gladys Sanderson, whose courage saved countless lives.

About Gladys Sanderson

On 13 January 1939, what would come to be known as the Black Friday bushfires devastated much of Victoria, including Noojee and the surrounding area.

Gladys Sanderson was the assistant postmistress at the Noojee post office during the fires. She played a pivotal role in keeping families in the outer-lying regions of the area safe from the fast-approaching flames.

According to newspaper publications from the time, Gladys was the last remaining person in Noojee who knew how to operate the telephone switchboard, the only communications link to isolated families in the area and other townships that were in the path of the fire. She remained at her post delivering vital messages for the local constable until the post office building caught fire and they were forced to flee.

Only once she was forced to leave the post office did Gladys join the residents sheltering in the La Trobe River, where they sheltered from the fire for several hours.

Gladys' bravery was well documented at the time and appeared in newspaper articles from Warragul to London, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for "gallantry and devotion to duty" in June 1940 for her actions on Black Friday.

Background

Council is the naming authority for roads, parks and features within the Shire and is responsible for determining naming proposals in accordance with the Naming rules for places in Victoria.

This proposal was submitted to Council by a community member and reviewed by Council's Place Names Advisory Committee before being presented to Council.

The Place Names Advisory Committee voted in favour of this location and endorsed the name 'Gladys Sanderson Park' at the 3 June 2024 meeting.

Following Council's endorsement of the naming proposal, we want to know what you think and are inviting your feedback to inform the final decision.

Have Your Say

You are invited to share your thoughts on the naming proposal by completing the survey below. All feedback for or against the naming proposal should state why you believe the proposal does or does not meet the requirements of the Naming rules for places in Victoria, which can be downloaded from the documents section.

This survey will close at 5pm Friday 2 May 2025.

Photos kindly supplied by Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales & Courtesy ACP Magazines Ltd, and Noojee and District Historical Society

Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to name a reserve in Noojee after Gladys Sanderson.

We’re proposing to name Noojee’s Streamside Reserve the 'Gladys Sanderson Park' after local hero Gladys Sanderson, whose courage saved countless lives.

About Gladys Sanderson

On 13 January 1939, what would come to be known as the Black Friday bushfires devastated much of Victoria, including Noojee and the surrounding area.

Gladys Sanderson was the assistant postmistress at the Noojee post office during the fires. She played a pivotal role in keeping families in the outer-lying regions of the area safe from the fast-approaching flames.

According to newspaper publications from the time, Gladys was the last remaining person in Noojee who knew how to operate the telephone switchboard, the only communications link to isolated families in the area and other townships that were in the path of the fire. She remained at her post delivering vital messages for the local constable until the post office building caught fire and they were forced to flee.

Only once she was forced to leave the post office did Gladys join the residents sheltering in the La Trobe River, where they sheltered from the fire for several hours.

Gladys' bravery was well documented at the time and appeared in newspaper articles from Warragul to London, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for "gallantry and devotion to duty" in June 1940 for her actions on Black Friday.

Background

Council is the naming authority for roads, parks and features within the Shire and is responsible for determining naming proposals in accordance with the Naming rules for places in Victoria.

This proposal was submitted to Council by a community member and reviewed by Council's Place Names Advisory Committee before being presented to Council.

The Place Names Advisory Committee voted in favour of this location and endorsed the name 'Gladys Sanderson Park' at the 3 June 2024 meeting.

Following Council's endorsement of the naming proposal, we want to know what you think and are inviting your feedback to inform the final decision.

Have Your Say

You are invited to share your thoughts on the naming proposal by completing the survey below. All feedback for or against the naming proposal should state why you believe the proposal does or does not meet the requirements of the Naming rules for places in Victoria, which can be downloaded from the documents section.

This survey will close at 5pm Friday 2 May 2025.

Photos kindly supplied by Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales & Courtesy ACP Magazines Ltd, and Noojee and District Historical Society

  • Let us know if you have any thoughts or feedback on the naming proposal by clicking the button below.

    Any feedback should clearly state why you either support or do not support the naming proposal. You can support your submission by referencing the Naming Rules, which can be downloaded from the documents section.

    Take Survey
Page last updated: 02 Apr 2025, 12:55 PM