Proposed Commemorative Place Naming – Thirlmere Community Hall - Thirlmere

Closes: Jan 3, 2025, 5:00 PM

COMMEMORATIVE NAMING OF COUNCIL ASSET

THIRLMERE COMMUNITY HALL, THIRLMERE NSW

Frederick Denny Thirlmere Community Hall

© Wollondilly Shire Council. © Department of Customer Service

Commemorative naming

 

A Mayoral Minute was put forward at the 25 July 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting, resolution 34/2024 supporting to name the Thirlmere Community Hall at 77 Westbourne Avenue Thirlmere to honour the late Frederick ‘Fred’ Francis Denny of Thirlmere, for his significant outstanding contributions to Thirlmere and the Wollondilly Shire over his lifetime.

 

Lance Corporal Frederick ‘Fred’ Francis Denny OAM was born on 9 April  1923 and passed away peacefully on 16 July 2023 – a little more than three months after celebrating his 100th birthday. Fred was born in Thirlmere, where he lived all of his 100 years. Fred, was the beloved husband of Myrtle (dec) and father to Robbie and Malcolm (dec) with 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was very respected and left a lasting impact on our community.

 

Fred left school at age 10 to deliver meat for a butcher shop his father (also named Fred) owned in Thirlmere. At age 11 and 12, he used to drive cattle the family had bought in Camden to Thirlmere to stock the butcher shop. Fred, a butcher by trade, enlisted in the army at age 18 against the advice of best mate Brandon Chiddy, who later became a POW in Borneo.

Fred was a World War II Veteran of the 55/53rd Mice of Moresby Australian Infantry Battalion in Papua New Guinea who defended Australia from enemy attack. A Lance Corporal, Fred served in the army from 1940 to 1945, as a frontline gunner on the battlefields. Lance Corporal Frederick Denny’s legacy extends beyond his military service.

After the war, Mr Denny worked for Sydney Water for 40 years and was one of the engineers who oversaw construction of Warragamba Dam.

Fred received his OAM in the 2022 Australia Day Honours for service to veterans and their families after more than 77 years as the welfare officer of the Picton Thirlmere Bargo sub-branch of the RSL, where he was the founding member and a life member. Fred was also a founding member of the Warragamba workers and Sporting Club including Life Member of RSL Australia. He had only missed one Thirlmere Anzac Day service since joining the sub-branch in 1946.

His profound contributions to these organisations will forever be cherished. Fred Denny exemplified the values of camaraderie and selflessness. The naming of the Thirlmere Hall “Frederick Denny’ in Thirlmere will recognise Fred’s significant contributions to the community.

Commemorative naming allows the community to recognise and celebrate, historical and social connections in our shire. The NSW Geographical Names Board recommends naming of assets follow the same guidelines for the determination of place names www.gnb.nsw.gov.au

Enquiries

General enquiries can be directed to Council’s Information Officer (Property Addressing) on (02) 4677 9736 or email streetaddressing@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au

Submissions

Submissions in respect to the proposed name must be in writing to, Wollondilly Shire Council at, PO Box 21, Picton NSW 2571 or email council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au , clearly outlining reasons for such objection*. (quote reference CM1458-2) Submissions for the proposal close 5:00pm Friday 3 January 2025.