What’s In a Name delves into the fascinating stories and personalities behind some of the city’s best-known street and location names. This week the Journal looks at Jan Wilson Community Centre in Noble Park North.
Jan Wilson was a Dandenong North MP and Dandenong councillor who advocated to improve animal welfare practices across the state.
Mrs Wilson migrated to Australia from Scotland in the early 1960s and in 1977 became the second woman to be elected to the City of Dandenong.
She represented the North Ward until 1986, and in 1985 was elected the first member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the new seat of Dandenong North.
Her time in State Parliament included the racing, local government, aged care and consumer affairs portfolios.
Following her retirement from politics in 1999, Mrs Wilson was appointed to the board of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) and shortly afterwards became chairwoman.
GRV started reforming its animal welfare practices during her time as chairwoman and established the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) to rehome greyhounds that were unable to race.
Her 10 years of leadership also resulted in unprecedented growth in the industry.
In 2009, Mrs Wilson was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the racing industry and to animal welfare.
She died on 5 March 2010.
Last year, she was among 25 new inductees to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
She joined more than 600 women named on the Honour Roll since it started in 2001.
Each year it celebrates exceptional women in Victoria who have made significant and lasting contributions to their community, the nation or the world.
“Too often, women’s achievements and contributions are not recognised, despite leaving a lasting impact on their communities,” Minister for Women Fiona Richardson said.
“Mrs Wilson left behind a meaningful legacy that demonstrates the change that women can lead across government and the community.”
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said Mrs Wilson made a remarkable contribution to the community.
“Her extensive work in both local and State Government ensured that there was a voice for all Victorians – great and small,” she said.
Mrs Wilson’s husband, Eric, was a Dandenong councillor from 1986 to 1994 and Mayor from 1992 to 1993.
They met and married in 1962. They moved to Dandenong where they lived. Their only son Craig was born in 1968.
Mr Wilson had a severe car accident in 1964, spending seven months in hospital. The experience led the couple to join the Australian Labor Party, where they worked to help initiate Medibank health cover. Mr Wilson died in 2004.
