May 2017
The pocket park between Stevens and Paragon Streets, Yeronga has now been officially renamed Lloyd Rees Park, after renown Australian landscape artist, Lloyd Rees. Lloyd was born locally and grew up in this part of Yeronga.
Lloyd Rees, was born in the suburb of Yeronga in 1895, and educated in Brisbane. Lloyd took up a position with the Queensland Government Printer as a junior artist in 1913 while studying art at college and in 1917 he moved to Sydney to be a commercial artist. From 1946 to 1986 Rees taught art history and drawing at the University of Sydney.
Lloyd Rees is best known for his landscapes featuring the built environment and the effects of light. He won numerous art prizes from 1950 and was awarded an Order of Australia in 1985. Despite failing eyesight, Rees painted until he died in Hobart, Tasmania aged 93.
A park name sign and history panel will be erected on-site shortly. Thank you to the Yeronga Central Neighbourhood Watch for your assistance during the survey and to all residents who suggested names and voted.
January 2017
Thank you to everyone who participated in the park naming survey for the new park at the end of Stevens Street, Yeronga.
As you know, this was a two stage process to determine prospective names and then a popular vote on all nominated names. Those names were Lloyd Rees Park (renowned Australian Painter who grew up in Paragon Street in the late 1800s), Turrbal Jagera Park (indigenous people of Brisbane), Miss Pounds’ Park (original landholder of the now park), Pettiford Park (long term local residents), Susie O’Neill Park (Yeronga Olympic legend), and Sir Jim Killen Park (former federal member and local resident).
In total, we received 38 votes and 60% of those were for Lloyd Rees Park. The next most popular was Turrbal Jagera with 20%. All others received minor votes.
I have now asked Council to progress the park naming for Lloyd Rees Park, which requires a vote when Council resumes. Once endorsed by Council, a park name sign and history panel will be erected on the site.
Thank you to Yeronga Central Neighbourhood Watch for their help in running this process and some great name suggestions. Happy New Year and all the best for 2017.
September 2016
Residents will recall that we were successful a few years ago in re-zoning the land between Stevens Street and Paragon Street, Yeronga as parkland.
With work due to commence on the Yeerongpilly TOD, now called the Yeerongpilly Green, it is prudent to give this park a name to further entrench its identity as valuable green space in our community.
Yeronga Central NHW have suggested we undertake a survey to choose an appropriate park name.
Council policy requires that the name has local and/or City-wide significance, is not replicated nearby, and is well-supported by the community. For example, park names may be of distinguished local residents, indigenous background, botanical origin, or significant local events.
NHW has made two suggestions, both for distinguished local residents. Firstly, Sir Jim Killen, former federal member for our area and Lloyd Rees, the Australian landscape painter who grew up in Ortive Street, Yeronga. These are great ideas, but you may have another.
This will be a two-step process. Firstly, please suggest a name or indicate your support for one of the two already nominated by Monday, 31 October. Once all suggestions are in, I will circulate the most popular names for voting.
Once a name has been decided upon and endorsed by Council, a park name sign and history panel will be erected on the site.
Please email me with your suggestion at tennyson.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au or post it to 180 Fairfield Road, Fairfield.
In addition, you can also visit the Yeronga Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page here to note your feedback and have your say.