By CASEY NEILL
A REMINDER of Ann Halpin’s legacy now takes pride of place in central Dandenong.
City of Greater Dandenong last Wednesday (18 September) unveiled an interpretive sign bearing the story of how the new Halpin Way got its name.
“It’s really something, isn’t it?” one of her brothers uttered as he took in the tribute.
Ms Halpin was a City of Greater Dandenong Living Treasure and passed away in 2009 following a seven-month battle with a brain tumour.
She’d arrived in Dandenong as the St Mary’s Primary School principal in 1974 and joined the Presentation Sisters.
After further study she took on parish pastoral work and encountered isolated refugees and migrants, particularly women.
She approached her colleagues with a vision to help through breaking down language and cultural barriers.
The Presentation Sisters vacated their Langhorne Street home and opened the doors to Wellsprings for Women.
“Her legacy to our city will not be forgotten,” Mayor Angela Long said.
Presentation Sister Bernadette Keating said Ms Halpin was creative and a born organiser with a deep concern for people.
“Ann’s spirit is with us to this day, and this signage will remind us that it’s still there in the future,” she said.
Ms Halpin’s brother John Halpin said she was a humble and simple person.
“She would be mortified to see what was happening today in her honour,” he said.
“Ann simply loved the people of Dandenong.
“It was the only place for her to be.
“(The sign) is something the family will treasure forever.”
Also unveiled was a sign for Settlers Square, acknowledging the area’s role as a place of migration and settlement.
“No matter where we come from and when we arrived, we are all seeking the same thing – a place to call home,” councillor Long said.
Halpin Way and Settlers Square provide an improved link for pedestrians and cyclists between Dandenong Railway Station and the city centre.
