APRIL 2025 Update: The naming process and proposed name of Whitty Lane has been officially approved and registered with Geographic Names Victoria and was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on the 17 April 2025.
This laneway will now officially be known as Whitty Lane. Thank you to all who participated in the community engagement naming process.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Since the decision of Council, new information has come to the forefront by researchers advising that the late Magg Witty, a license holder of the Palace Hotel is also known as Margaret Whitty. It is common for further information to be provided post a decision which results in a correction to a name or a historical profile. Council has verified this information and has sought advice from the relevant authorities and the naming proposal can proceed, with a correction to the spelling of the surname to “Whitty Lane”.
Council will send the proposal name of Whitty Lane to the
Registrar of Geographic Names for consideration and inclusion in VICNAMES – the
Register of Geographic Names.
March 2025 Update: At its meeting on the 25 of March, Council endorsed the name of Witty Lane for the unnamed laneway. Council will now submit this naming proposal and recommendation to the Registrar of Geographic Names Victoria for auditing. Once the process has been completed and the new name gazetted, Council will complete the place naming process in accordance with the Naming Rules.
Background
New residential development at 290-292 Racecourse Road, Flemington prompted a request to Council to name the laneway at the rear of the dwelling, as this will be the primary access to the new dwelling. The full length of the laneway runs between 1 Wellington Street and 274-276 Racecourse Road, Flemington.
To ensure public safety, it is recommended the laneway be named to allow for an accurate address to be assigned to the new dwelling. Naming of the laneway will also assist delivery and emergency services to locate any other properties that have their main entry point from this laneway.
The Victorian Government has set a target of 70 per cent of new commemorative place naming after women as part of Our equal state: Victoria’s gender equality strategy and action plan 2023–2027. Council engaged with stakeholders to undertake research on prominent women that have helped shape the history of this area of Flemington. Council chose two names and, following community consultation between 31 January and 2 March 2025, is currently considering community feedback on the proposed names:
Witty Lane is named after Magg Witty, who ran the Palace Hotel post WW1 (situated on the corner of Racecourse and Rankins Road). Magg Witty was a notable licensee and a popular figure at the Hotel. Her kindness and generosity were appreciated by locals of this time.
Sylvia Lane is named after Sylvia Miller, who was born in Kensington in 1898. A dancer and dancing instructor. The Miller family operated a business at what was then 109 Racecourse Road, now known as 285 Racecourse Road from 1895 –1920.
Further information about the proposed names and naming process is provided in the Frequently Asked Questions.
Thank you to all community members who provided feedback on the proposed name for this laneway. This consultation is now closed, and the proposed name is pending approval. Council will provided updates on progress and next steps.
Call for additional information from the public
Council has been unable to locate existing family members to seek permission to use the proposed name and calls for consent from the family or requests family contact details from the community. If you have this information, please contact our Legal and Governance Team using the details on this page.
