A BID by the Amity Point Progress Association to have the town oval renamed in honour of the Litherland family has failed.
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Ollie and Rose Litherland were major pioneering contributors to the Amity community from about 1945 and their sons Barry and Greg followed suit.
A report to council said that with their sons, the Litherlands were members of various community organisations and undertook a large amount of work, including keeping roads open, maintaining drainage and fire breaks, maintaining eroded foreshores and general work around the Amity oval.
Greg was a longtime member of the Point Lookout Surf Club.
Trevor Weston of the Amity Point Progress Association said members were disappointed about the decision.
“We’ll keep fighting on,’’ he said.
Mr Weston said the Litherland family had had a tremendous impact on the island, ranging from voluntary work on drains and roads, to surf lifesaving and work on community infrastructure.
“We had a catastrophe in ‘74 during a cyclone,’’ Mr Weston said. “The MV Lookout was crossing the (Rufous King) bar and a wave went through the wheelhouse and killed the motor.
“Barry went out in his jet boat and towed the boat out to sea, saving all those people. He also did it when a trawler got into trouble. Nobody else would go.’’
Council policy is that city parks will be named or re-named only to identify predominant sporting use.
“Where there are opportunities to sub-name fields or ovals within multi-field parks ... this will be delegated to the club,’’ the report said. “...These names will not be used as place names.’’
Cr Peter Mitchell said although the council was bound by its policy, all councillors were anxious to honour the Litherland family in some way.
“We acknowledge the heartfelt intent of the original petition to suitably honour the Litherland family and their contribution to Amity and North Stradbroke Island,’’ he said.
Cr Mitchell said it was likely that the Litherlands could be honoured with an alternate project in line with council policy.
“I invite the community to work with me … and council staff to identify such a project,’’ he said.
The renaming was supported by the Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation but opposed by the Amity Point Social Cricket and Sporting Club.
The council report said club committee member Jim Hemsley strongly objected to the Litherland name being on the oval for cultural, personal and community issues.
