Nolear Ramsamy: Petition to rename Slade Point park in Mackay denied

How the public pays tribute to deceased residents is once again in the spotlight as Mackay council denies a request to pay tribute to a late icon with 227 descendants. Read why.

How deceased Mackay residents are remembered is once again under scrutiny as council denies an application to rename a park in tribune to the late ‘Nana’ Ramsamy.

A petition was lodged to Mackay Regional Council in August last year to rename Seagull Park in Slade Point following the death of Nolear Ramsamy, aged 103.

Nolear Ramsamy, pictured with her 48th great great grandchild born on her birthday. Loved ones are pushing for a Slade Point park to be renamed in her honour.

The late Mackay icon, who was married to renowned snake handler Ram Chandra, witnessed the reign of four British monarchs and had 227 descendants, many of whom reside in the Mackay region.

Her grandson John Ramsamy had spearheaded the petition to rename the park in her honour with Ms Ramsamy having spent “90 per cent of her life . fishing down the (adjacent) creek”.

Loved ones of William Baker want the Slade Point skate park renamed in his memory.

But as with the request for the creation of a mural to pay tribute to a Mackay teenager who died in a motorcycle crash earlier this year, Mr Ramsamy’s wish to rename Seagull Park has also been rejected.

Documents state the council took a year to make its decision because it was “held up” by the pending re-adoption of the Naming of Infrastructure Assets policy which covers the naming, and renaming of parks.

The policy states renaming assets is “discouraged” however can take place if the person, body or entity the asset was named after becomes “discredited or dishonoured”, there is an existing duplicate name, or more than 100 people sign a petition lodged to council.

Mr Ramsamy’s petition only had 27 attached signatures. However, there is a loophole that will still allow Mr Ramsamy to permanently etch his late nana’s legacy into the fabric of Slade Point.

“Noting that renaming of a park itself would fit under council’s policy, options allowed such as installation and naming of park infrastructure (i.e. park bench seat with plaque) were discussed,” council documents state.

“Mr Ramsamy believed that this could be an appropriate recognition, with an offer for council to work with him and the Ramsamy family.”

Documents further state council can permit requests for the erection of monuments, plaques, or memorials at its parks or reserves if they honour: Australian Defence Force or Allied Forces personnel and their nationally recognised campaigns; police and emergency services personnel who have died in the line of duty; or an event or place of local or regional significance.