Applications are now open for people to nominate significant places in the community to be recognised in Georges River Council’s Historical Markers Program.
The program has been inspired by the famous London Blue Plaques Scheme and the City of Sydney Green Plaques program that uses permanent markers to commemorate a link between a location and a famous person or event.
Georges River Council mayor, Kevin Greene said these programs provide a great way to link the people and events of the past to existing buildings.
The council is now seeking input from the community to help identify and recognise places of historical and cultural importance to be included in local historical markers.
The Historical Markers Policy was developed to expand on the Kogarah Plaques Program, adopted by the former Kogarah Council before the merger with Hurstville Council.
Under the program historically significant spots in the local area are marked with plaques that detail the history behind them.
It was launched in March 2016 and included the first 10 plaques including the Kogarah School of Arts, Taren Point Punt and Bald Face Reserve amongst others.
Cr Greene said the new program was developed in response to requests from the community.
“The council receives many requests throughout the year to officially recognise significant locations in the area and through this new program will be able to management each one to ensure a consistent and accurate approach,” he said.
“Applications are now open for people to apply to have significant places in our community recognised.
“The markers will be cast in bronze and will include important dates, and the name of the person, place or event being recognised.
“The new markers will complement existing markers and plaques throughout the Georges River local government area, creating a growing, open-air museum of historical places,’ Cr Greene said.
More details information to accompany the new markers will be made available on the council’s website and in other formats as required.
Each year the council will fund and install up to five new makrest.
Applications close on February 19, 2018 and the five markers will be installed mid-2018.
To apply, the public can complete the Historical Markers Application which is available on the council’s website.
