The Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire Council recently voted in favour of installing a memorial to commemorate one of the Shire’s most notable historical families, whose involvement in the community shaped and defined what would become the Shire we know today.
The decision will see the Shire contributing $1000 to the project, with the applicants covering the rest.
Two separate families, with the surname Elliott, are remembered as pioneers in the Hopeland area and are set to receive a plaque and picnic furniture at Ivy Muller Reserve.
The family originally settled in the area after its establishment in 1923 as part of the Peel Group Settlement Scheme. Wallace Henry Elliott remains notable for having requested the opening of the local Hopeland school from the Education Department in 1930, which his children attended.
Among the other Elliott family, Thomas Coventry Elliott is remembered for having blazed a road, now named Elliott Road, from what is now South Western Highway in Keysbrook to a track at what is now Hopeland Road.
The decision to do so enabled his seven sons to cultivate the area into farms for their future families. The two Elliott families would eventually be linked by marriage and go on farming in Hopeland.
Ivan Elliott would serve in several notable positions, including President of the Serpentine Agricultural Show Committee, Fire Brigade Captain and Chief Fire Control Officer, and eventually served on Council. Their descendants still contribute to the SJ area today, largely through volunteering.
The plaque and related memorial furniture are set to be placed next to Hopeland Community Hall, which was once the school many of the Elliott children attended before its closure.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 17 August, a resolution was passed to install the memorial, though there was substantial debate on the matter, given that two councillors viewed as budgetary issues.
Speaking in favour of the proposal, Mr Coales argued for the significance of maintaining the sense of heritage in the area as essential to local identity.
“It’s very important to call out our history, especially as we talk about the future of our Shire,” he said.
Councillor Scott also spoke in favour of the memorial.
“There are people coming from everywhere to the Shire now, but we cannot forget our history. I’m only 49 years old, but the Elliott family has such a long association with the area. Over 100 years. I think it’s important to have that plaque on that table, so those who sit there can get that little bit of history.”
Councillor Chan spoke in opposition to the motion.
“I fully agree with what Councillor Scott says. We do need to remember where we came from, as that leads to where we go. My issue is with changing the policy to accommodate this specific request. We discussed keeping our rates down at previous meetings. What happens when the next one now comes asking for such a grant, and the next one after that,” he said.
“On one hand we’re trying really hard to be tight on the budget and on the other we are just changing policies as we see fit. We need to stick with the policy, and if we wish to change it, we need to make sure the new policy is fair and equitable.
Councillor Bishop joined Mr Chan in opposing the motion.
“There can be no diminishing the good work that the Elliott family has done, is doing or will do. The issue, however, is what an appropriate expense for the ratepayer to incur is. A memorial has individual and family importance, and sometimes narrow community importance, but it is uncommon for a memorial to have importance to the whole Shire community. I’d encourage the applicant to consider community level fundraising,” he said.
President Coales responded to the opposition, emphasising that the family fit the bill through their extraordinary contributions.
“100 years of service to the community. Clem Kentish Community Service Award winners. What else can you do? We should indeed talk about saving ratepayers’ money, but what is $1000 when we recognise not one person, but a multi-generational family? We have a duty as elected members to serve as stewards of our beautiful community. That’s our past and our future. I think to disregard our heritage over $1000 is not acceptable,” he said.
Ultimately, President Coales, Councillor Scott and Councillor Mazzini would vote in favour, with Councillor Chan and Councillor Bishop against. Councillor Glisenti and Deputy President Jerrett were not in attendance.
