Geraldine Gonsalvez says the Keys family has shaped Greater Dandenong to what it is today.By Melissa Meehan
KEYSBOROUGH residents wanting to rename parts of the suburb have been asked to consider the historical significance of the name.
Former councillor and Greater Dandenong resident Geraldine Gonsalvez believes the proposal to rename the suburb was “in the extreme”.
“To disregard the pioneering efforts of the past is to diminish the toils of those who gave so much and is grossly unworthy,” she said.
Keysborough was named after the Keys family, who she says contributed to the area in an irreplaceable way since 1839.
“In 1939 William Keys acquired land in Carrum, in 1841 George Keys established his family of eight on land between Mordialloc and Dandenong and dynastied a family who were every bit a part and parcel of the birth, foundation and creation of this region,” she said.
“It is no accident that the Federal electorate for the area takes its name from one of the other sons namely Isaacs.”
Ms Gonsalvez said that John Keys became a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Dandenong and Berwick and two Keys brothers were chairmen of the Roads Boards before one of them became the first shire president, equivalent to a modern day mayor, in 1873.
“They were pivotal to the birth of our city,” she said.
“From the building and opening of our existing town hall, establishment of the Dandenong Market, the Dandenong Cricket Club, Post and Telegraphs, schools and our first Post Office on Lonsdale Street as well as the Methodist Church.”
Ms Gonsalvez said it was important to recognise the work of the Keys family and keeping the name of Keysborough was the perfect way to do that.
She said if the true reason for the name change was to separate the old from the new there were other ways.
“If gated exclusivity is the prerogative, then there is nothing to stop highlighting the estate name in the address as an appendage after the house number and street name, followed by the existing unchanged suburb name and postcode,” she said.
“Let’s not forget the sacrifices of the past that have forged the present.”
