Parramatta Light Rail: Calls for stops to be named after accomplished women

Cricket legend Richie Benaud and a former councillor might get a nod but not a single female has been honoured in the list of proposed names for the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail stops.

Parramatta councillor Donna Davis with Phil Russo outside the Royal Oak Hotel, Parramatta, before it was demoloshe to make way for the light rail. Picture: John Appleyard

Aussie cricket legend Richie Benaud and a former Parramatta councillor get a nod on the proposed names for the $2.4 billion light rail line but now there are calls for more women, such as Elizabeth Macarthur, who shaped Parramatta’s rich history, to be honoured.

Transport for NSW last month released the names it has proposed for 16 light rail stops on the 12km line.

So far stations include Benaud at North Parramatta to honour the cricket legend and commentator who grew up in the area, and indigenous names including Garung near the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Garung is a Darug word for a baby or small child.

An artist’s impression of the stop proposed to be called Church Street Mall.

Frustrated Parramatta councillor Donna Davis applauded the Aboriginal names but was disappointed in stops planned to be called Robin Thomas, Fennell Street and Church Street Mall for “lacking imagination’’.

She said the Fennell Street stop should instead honour the Parramatta Female Factory, given its proximity to the landmark. Constructed between 1881 and 1848, the Fleet St site was Australia’s first purpose built establishment for convict women.

Women’s institutions, such as the historic Parramatta Female Factory, should be recognised, Donna Davis says.

Cr Davis nominated Elizabeth Raine or Anne Gordon, who were managers and matrons of the factory respectively. Prisoner Mary Ann Hamilton, who died of hunger and Mary Shields, who was also incarcerated there and is author Thomas Keneally’s great grandmother, were other suggestions.

Cr Davis said instead of Robin Thomas Reserve, consideration should be given for Elizabeth Macarthur, which points to the geographical locations of Elizabeth Farm and Macarthur Girls’ High School.

Elizabeth Macarthur was a pioneer.

Elizabeth Farm House, built from 1793, is Australia's oldest European building. It is pictured in 1970.

Along with her husband John, Elizabeth pioneered the Australian wool industry in the 1800s.

The Robin Thomas Reserve stop at Parramatta.

Cr Davis pointed out that the Church Street Mall, at Centenary Square, had not been referred to as the mall for several years.

“While I appreciate they want a name that effectively marks the location surely we can do better than this,’’ she said.

“There is a great opportunity to pull more noteworthy names from our past.

“This area has an incredibly rich history — let’s be a bit more creative and recognise even more of those people who shaped our nation.’’

The suggestions also raised the ire of Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger who urged at least one of the stops to be named after Western Sydney University, where the tram stops across three of its campus sites at Westmead, Parramatta CBD and Rydalmere.

Parramatta Light Rail construction looking north from the Grose and Church streets intersection. Picture: John McNamara

The Geographic Names Board is accepting feedback into the names until January 18.

The board’s chair Narelle Underwood said it was important that place names reflected the character and history of the community.

“We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposed

names,’’ she said.

● Submit feedback https://proposals.gnb.nsw.gov.au/currentproposals or post to the Geographical Names Board Secretary at 346 Panorama Ave, Bathurst, NSW 2795, before January 18.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

The proposed titles so far are:

• Westmead Light Rail, where customers will alight for Westmead train station, T-way bus services and future Sydney Metro services.

• Westmead Hospital, named after Westmead Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, which is adjacent to the stop.

• Gurung, near the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The proposed name is a Darug word for a baby or small child.

• Ngara, located in the current Cumberland Hospital’s East Campus. The proposed name is a Darug word, meaning ‘to listen, hear, think’.

• Benaud, named to commemorate Parramatta boy Richard Benaud, OBE, celebrated cricketer and sports commentator, who grew up in North Parramatta. Richie Benaud Oval is a short walking distance from the stop.

An artist impression of the Parramatta Light Rail from the Lennox St bridge at Parramatta.

• Fennell Street, named after the nearby Fennell St, one of the area’s first streets and named in 1823 after Captain John Fennell.

• Prince Alfred Square, named after the local, highly recognisable landmark of Prince Alfred Square.

• Church Street Mall, takes its name from its location.

• Parramatta Square, named after the adjacent Parramatta Square, a $3.2 billion retail,

commercial, and public space that will attract 30,000 workers once completed and where commuters will alight for Parramatta train station, bus services and future Sydney Metro services.

• Robin Thomas, Stop takes its name from the adjacent Robin Thomas Reserve. Former Parramatta Mayor and businessman, Alderman Alfred Robert Cayley ‘Robin’ Thomas represented the community on the council for over 30 years.

• Tramway Avenue, takes its name from its location and gives a nod to the route that the original Parramatta trams followed between 1881 and 1943

• Rosehill Gardens, Stop will be the principle public transport connection to the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.

• Yallamundi, stop on the site of the former Rydalmere train station, south of Victoria Rd, Rydalmere. The proposed name is a Darug word, reflecting “storytelling” which provides a connection to the nearby Western Sydney University (Parramatta South) campus.

• Dundas, Telopea and Carlingford Light Rail Stops have been named after the areas they

service and are well known to the community as the previous railway station names.

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