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 Dandenong North’s Jarvis Crescent, named after a prominent businessman, former mayor and Greater Dandenong Living Treasure.
Maurie Jarvis was born almost 100 years ago in Somerville, on 18 January 1917.
He was educated in Dandenong until he left school at age 14.
At 16, he went to work at the Dandy Ham and Bacon Company as a driver.
Studying part-time, he worked his way up to national sales and marketing manager.
He retired in 1983 after almost 50 years with the company.
Maurie enlisted in the army in 1940 and fought in World War II for four years.
He returned home in 1944 and married his childhood sweetheart, Gwen – whom he met through church – and they had four daughters.
It was at age 14 that Maurie attended his first public meeting in the Dandenong Town Hall in 1931.
Establishing a sewerage system was the topic. Maurie went on to become a board member for the Dandenong Sewerage Authority for 35 years, including time as chairman.
In 1955, Maurie became a Dandenong City councillor to save the Dandenong Police Paddocks.
He served as Police Paddocks committee chairman for 37 years, was a councillor from 1955-1992, and was mayor three times.
Maurie built support to establish Wallara, a centre for the intellectually disabled, during his 1959 mayoral year and formed the group in his living room.
He was a Wallara board member for 37 years.
Maurie was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1977, was named Dandenong Citizen of the Year in 1982, and was Freeman of the City of Dandenong in 1992.
He coached tennis, taught Sunday school at the uniting church for about 60 years, was a Dandenong High School advisory committee member for more than 30 years, was on the board at Scott Street Day Care Centre for the frail and aged for more than 10 years, served with the Combined Charities Committee and the Dandenong Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and opened his family home to the disadvantaged and lonely people as a refuge.
Greater Dandenong Council named Maurie and his wife Gwen Greater Dandenong Living Treasures.
Gwen was born at home in Close Avenue, Dandenong, in 1922 and attended Dandenong West Primary School and Dandenong High School.
Gwen worked to provide or improve many community facilities including the Truby King Infant Welfare Centre, the Dandenong West kindergarten and primary school and the Girl Guides Association.
For 40 years she was a volunteer with Dandenong’s Festival of Music and Art for Youth and helped to establish the YWCA in Dandenong.
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.
