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Noojee Park to be named in honour of local hero 'Gladys Sanderson Park' after council endorsement

Baw Baw Shire Council has endorsed naming a Noojee reserve 'Gladys Sanderson Park' to honour the local hero's extraordinary bravery during the 1939 Black Friday bushfires.

By news@gippsland - 28th May 2025 - Back to News

A Noojee reserve will be formally named 'Gladys Sanderson Park' following endorsement at this afternoon's Council meeting. Council voted unanimously to name the park after local hero Gladys Sanderson, whose selflessness and courage left a lasting mark on the town's history.

Noojee reserve will be officially named 'Gladys Sanderson Park' after Council unanimously honoured her bravery and lasting legacy

Remembering Gladys Sanderson

Baw Baw Shire Council invited the community to have their say on naming Noojee Streamside Reserve. During the community consultation period, 37 responses were received, with 33 in support of the naming proposal.

On 13 January 1939, Noojee and much of Victoria were ravaged by one of the worst bushfires in the state's history - the devastating Black Friday bushfires. Amidst the chaos, Gladys Sanderson who was the town's assistant postmistress, remained at her post as the last person capable of operating Noojee telephone switchboard - it's only communication link.

She worked tirelessly, relaying urgent messages to isolated families and emergency responders until the post office itself was engulfed in flames and she was forced to flee for shelter in the La Trobe River. Her extraordinary bravery was widely recognised, with her story making headlines from Warragul to London. In June 1940, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for "gallantry and devotion to duty."

Honouring local hero

Now, in recognition of her heroic efforts and the countless lives she saved, the council will name the reserve 'Gladys Sanderson Park'. Deputy Mayor Tricia Jones thanked the community for providing their feedback on the naming proposal. "I am pleased to see Gladys Sanderson's bravery and heroic efforts remembered in this way," she said.

"We thank everyone who took the time to provide their feedback throughout the consultation process. The naming of this currently unnamed reserve provides an opportunity to celebrate Gladys' courage and contribution to this community and will help preserve this important story of Noojee history for future generations," said Ms Jones.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com