Naming delay on Manjimup laneways: Council advocates for Alf Fry Lane despite it failing Landgate’s validation

The Manimup council will renew efforts to name a laneway after a Shire pioneer, after the original push for the namesake failed to get approval. The application for Alf Fry Lane was one of six submissions received by the Shire of Manjimup between August 31 to October 7, despite the name initially failing the first stage of Landgate’s geographical naming validation process. The name was submitted by John Rooney, who put a strong case forward for the name, but it failed to meet the requirements because it would use two words, instead of one. Alfred Narroway Fry — better known as Alf Fry — originally took up land through Premier James Mitchell’s Group Settlement Scheme in Northcliffe in 1924 and soon became a well-known figure in the area. Mr Fry was a farmer, owner of a truck cartage service, a world class cornet player and 1926 State solo champion — playing for Queen Elizabeth II in the 1954 royal visit to WA — and an accomplished cricketer who was president of the Manjimup Cricket Association for 22 years. At a council meeting on Thursday, Cr Denise Jenkins appealed to the council to vote to lobby for the use of Alf Fry Lane with the Geographic Names Committee, which recieved a 9-1 vote in favour. Cr Jenkins said she understood the two-name issue, however, she felt the council should go to greater effort to have the name Alf Fry recognised publicly. A similar precedent was set with Hospital Avenue in Pemberton where “Doc Ryan” failed preliminary validation however, further lobbying resulted in the name Doc Ryan Close being adopted for the road. Ms Jenkins submitted that Alf Fry Lane should be used to name the laneway between Ipsen Street and Duffield Street as per Mr Rooney’s request, in place of the name Aiken Lane. Acting chief executive officer Brian Robinson will forward the naming proposal to the Geographic Names Committee for approval. The council approved the names Luzny Lane, Koolbardi Lane, Dwanart Lane, Glennie Lane and Aiken Lane for public consultation at a council meeting on November 17, with the final names presented at the council meeting being Aiken Lane, Luzney Lane and Dwanart Lane based on public feedback.