General News
18 August, 2025
Honouring the Thomsons at Great Western
GREAT Western Recreation Reserve has had a plaque at the main gate since 1992, proclaiming the ground as the Eric F.H. Thomson Sports Reserve in honour of Frederick ‘Eric’ Thomson, a significant winemaking figure in the region who was known for his commitment to the town.
Now the newly built clubrooms at the recreation reserve will be officially named in honour of Eric and his wife Mary, who Northern Grampians Shire Council want to recognise for their contributions to the Great Western community.
The building will be officially known as the Thomson Community Centre, after council resolved to commence the formal naming process at their meeting on August 4, and to invite comment on the suggested name.
Councillor Murray Emerson said at the meeting that he was pleased with the decision.
“This was a pretty difficult process because we had some outstanding other members of that community who were put forward as well,” Mr Emerson said.
“I’d just like to say that the Thomson family were an organisation that, when I was considering my decision, are well-known, been there a long time, put into the community on numerous different occasions, as did the other people put forward, but
I think we’ve made the right decision in recognising the Thomsons, just slightly above some of the others.”
The new clubrooms were officially opened by Jacinta Ermacora MP alongside NGSC Mayor Karen Hyslop in February.
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