General News
30 July, 2024
Blair legacy to live on in street name
A surname synonymous with agriculture and community service in and around Warracknabeal and Horsham could soon be assigned to a street, lane or road.
Horsham Rural City Council has cleared the way to remember the late Thomas "Tom" Blair by naming a public thoroughfare in his honour.
Mr Blair was born at Donald and, after the death of his mother while he was still a baby, spent much of his childhood on the land at Warracknabeal and near Watchem.
Councillors resolved unanimously at their monthly meeting to add "Blair" to Horsham's register of officially approved street names, meaning it is now available to be used within the municipality.
Mr Blair, who died in December 2022 aged 84 years, was a member of the Victorian Farmers Federation for half a century and was president of the organisation's Horsham branch.
He served the Wimmera Machinery Field Days committee for 55 years, as well as Pea Growers Co-operative at Donald.
He was a Horsham Agricultural Show committee life member, known especially for the success of his sheep in carcase competitions.
He also held life membership of Horsham City Bowling Club.
The field days comittee and bowling friends formed a guard of honour for Mr Blair at his funeral in Horsham, attended by more than 500 people.
After their wedding in 1960, Mr Blair and his wife Heather settled at Bangerang Plains, Kalkee.
Their four children - Peter, Geoff, Susie and Kellie - were raised in the district.
In considering Susie's request that her father's name be added to the register, councillors paid tribute to Mr Blair for his standing within the Wimmera.
Cr David Bowe described him as "a pillar of the community" and referenced his contribution to agriculture and his dedication to the Wimmera Machinery Field Days, the VFF and the Horsham show.
Cr Les Power referred fondly to Mr Blair as "Tommy" and said anyone who didn't know him "missed out on something".