Artist Ken Done’s inclusion on new Sydney ferry names short list may trump his appearance on Play School

ARTIST Ken Done is thrilled to be in the running to have a new Sydney ferry named in his honour and says for his grandchildren it may even trump his appearance on Play School.

Mosman-based artist Ken Done.

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HAVING portrayed Sydney Harbour in so many of his paintings, Mosman artist Ken Done may well find his own name painted on a harbour ferry.

Ken Done has made the final list of potential names for a new fleet of ferries to be launched on Sydney Harbour this summer.

Members of the public are now being asked to vote for the final six.

“I was humbled and thrilled even to be considered,’’ said Done.

“In the eyes of my grandchildren, my biggest honour has been appearing on Play School but that may well be trumped by having a ferry named after me.”

The State Government is seeking names for some new inner harbour ferries.

While Done said he didn’t want to pre-empt the vote and there were lots of worthy names on the list.

“It may come down to a rowing boat for me,’ he laughed.

Other names to make the final list including the former NSW Governor and Mosman resident Dame Marie Bashir and the late Lavender Bay artist Brett Whiteley.

Children’s author May Gibbs whose historic home Nutcote is preserved at Neutral Bay and Kirribilli resident and Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan have also made the list.

There are 12 final names in each of three categories: arts and culture; science, environment and innovation and Sydney Harbour connections.

The six most voted for names in one category will then christen the new ferry fleet.

More than 15,000 suggestions have been made since the Name Your Ferry competition was launched in July and voters now have until September 19 to have their final say.

Former NSW Govenor Dame Marie Bashir is also on the short list.

Done says ferries were the most wonderful way to travel.

“And you come around the corner to the astounding site of the Opera House,’’ he said.

Done said he had been catching ferries since he was an art student and lived at Cremorne.

“It would be an incredible honour to have a ferry named after you,’’ he said.

“If it happens, the first thing I will do is go down to the wharf and do a painting of my ferry.”

The late artist Margaret Preston who lived in Mosman has also made the list, along with poet Dorothea Mackellar and Opera House architect Jorn Utzon.

Billy Blue, the former convict who built up a fleet of ferries operating to Sydney’s northside in the early 1800s, is also on the list.

The late Dr Victor Chang.

Author May Gibbs.

Blue lived at North Sydney and Blue’s Point is named after him.

The final list also includes Bungaree, the colonial Aboriginal who was granted farmland at Georges Heights.

Victor Chang, the heart transplant surgeon who was murdered in Mosman, is also on the list, along with shark expert Valerie Taylor and activist Jack Mundey.

Participants in the final vote can nominate one name or up to a maximum of six.

Voters can also register to win one of 50 family passes for a ride on the new ferries.

“This is a chance for everyone to be part of our maritime history and vote on the names that will grace the next generation of vessels on our famous harbour,’’ said NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance.

To cast your vote visit nameyourferry.com.au