Zoe Moffatt
A Sunbury resident has spotted an error on the town’ Evans street sign .
Hedley Elliott said he was walking by the sign about two weeks ago when he stopped to read it.
“I just walked past, for no reason at all and had a look at the sign,” he said.
“I knew it was incorrect.”
The sign, which currently reads “George Samuel Evans, Member of the Barkly and O’Shanassy Ministries and Postmaster General in 1851,” includes facts about prominent barrister George Samuel Evans instead of George Evans who was part of the settlement that became Melbourne.
While both men were born in England, George Samuel Evans established himself in New Zealand, before leaving for Victoria in 1853. After living in Melbourne for 12 years he returned to New Zealand in 1865 and died three years later.
George Evans, who the street is named after, came to Melbourne in 1835 and settled in Sunbury along with William Jackson in July 1836. The state library recognises this history on its website.
“George Evans and his party founded the settlement that became Melbourne on 29 August 1835, after travelling on the ship Enterprize from Launceston to Port Phillip,” the state library said.
George Evans eventually settled at Emu Bottom and built the homestead, where Mr Elliot lives.
Mr Elliott said he contacted a councillor about the error when he noticed it.
A Hume council spokesperson said members of the community have brought it to council’s attention that there are minor errors on some of the Sunbury Heritage signs.
“These errors are being rectified and replacement signage is being installed,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Elliot said he would like to see the sign mention that George Evans was part of the party that founded the settlement that became Melbourne.
