Hobsons Bay history enthusiasts are encouraged to keep an eye out for excerpts of the region’s history, as snippets of Hobsons Bay’s history can now be found on a number of street signs
Hobsons Bay council has included the stories behind a number of Hobsons Bay’s oldest street names through the installation of heritage street signs across Williamstown North, Altona, Altona Meadows, Newport and Laverton.
Altona Meadows resident Murray MacLachlan recommended the initiative to Hobsons Bay council, which included Lady Nelson Crescent in Altona Meadows.
“The Lady Nelson was the first European ship in Port Phillip Bay,” he said.
“The streets in this area are all named after various ships.”
The Lady Nelson’s link to the area of Port Phillip Bay commenced in November 1801.
On her second voyage south from Port Jackson, the Lady Nelson was required to again survey the coast to the south and to fill in a number of gaps in maps of the Australian coast at that time.
On February 14, 1802, the Lady Nelson left Western Port and by noon that day the new harbour was entered and was named as Port King to honour Captain Philip Gidley King.
However, it was later renamed Port Phillip after the first governor of the colony Captain Arthur Phillip.
Other streets highlighted a number of local dignitaries, such as Sir Frederick Thomas Sargood, John Blyth and Sir Thomas Bent.
Hobsons Bay council said it would continue to work with local historical society representatives and historians where available to identify streets with historically significant names.
Details: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Arts-Culture-Heritage/Cultural-Heritage/Heritage-Street-Signs
Matthew Sims
