By Casey Neill
What’s In a Name delves into the fascinating stories and personalities behind some of the city’s best-known street names. This week the Journal looks at Springvale’s Harris Street, named for a longstanding city councillor.
HENRY James Edgar Harris was born in Marden, South Australia.
He was known as Edgar and for more than 50 years lived on a Princes Highway property called Springfield, opposite today’s Harrisfield Shopping Centre.
Mr Harris was elected to Dandenong Shire Council in 1910 “at a comparatively early age” and served with distinction as a North Riding representative continuously for just on 30 years, the Journal reported in 1947.
He married Catherine Harris at St James’ Roman Catholic Church in Elsternwick in 1895.
The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Springfield on 25 February 1945 with their five daughters, three sons and 22 of their 24 grandchildren. Two were away serving in the RAAF.
The Journal at the time described them as “grand old pioneers”.
They lived in Dandenong “out beyond the old stone bridge” when they first married but “have spent practically the whole of their married lives at Harrisfield where they are loved and respected by a host of friends”.
During his time on council, Mr Harris was shire president several times and was renowned for his thorough knowledge of the Local Government Act.
He was an old member of the Springvale Masonic Lodge and a Springvale Recreation Reserve trustee up to the time of his unexpected death in Dandenong District Hospital on 3 June 1947.
He was 74 years old. The flag over Dandenong Town Hall was flown at half-mast “as a tribute to a worthy citizen”.
WJ Garnar and Son conducted a private funeral at Springvale Botanical Cemetery on 5 June 1947.
His remains were laid to rest with those of his mother in the Church of England portion of the cemetery, and adjoining the grave of former council colleague Frank Audsley.
At the following council meeting, councillors stood in silence for a minute.
Then-shire president Andrew Ericksen said that in the many years he had been associated with municipal life, Mr Harris had proved a marvellous councillor.
Mr Ericksen’s own association with Mr Harris dated back to 1912. He described him as “gracious and kind in all his ways”.
Alexander Watt Bowman said he found Mr Harris one of the best helps a new councillor could have when he was first elected.
He was very experienced, very sincere in his purpose, and most helpful to him at all times.
As well as Harris Street bearing his name, Harrisfield in the western part of Noble Park was named after the councillor in 1926.
The opening of a new post office in a general store marked the occasion.
Mrs Catherine Harris died at Springfield on 7 March 1954, aged 84.
The Journal on 17 March described her as one of Harrisfield’s finest and most respected old identities.
“Mrs Harris was a worthy partner to one who did so much in the public life of that area,” the paper reported.
“Quiet, friendly and unassuming, the late Mrs Harris endeared herself to all in her lifetime in the district – a life-time enriched by many kindly and thoughtful acts.
“She was a wonderful mother to her large family of five daughters and three sons, all well-known in this district.”
Garnar and Sons also took charge of her service, held at St Anthony’s Church in Noble Park.
She was laid to rest at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
Want to know the history behind a street name in Greater Dandenong? Let us know and we’ll find out! Email journal@starnewsgroup.com.au.
