Beccy Plowman has put Cobungra on the map . . . well on a sign at least!
Twelve-year-old Beccy, who lives on a farm between Omeo and Dinner Plain, believed something was missing from Cobungra. East Gippsland Shire Council agreed.
In late September Beccy wrote to then Mayor Cr Natalie O’Connell with a request for a location sign to be installed at Cobungra.
“When driving in the car with my family I have noticed that towns like Smoko and Freeburgh in the Alpine Shire have signs that say, ‘Welcome to Smoko/Freeburgh’. Both places don’t have any shops or a post office. I have also noticed that there are signs the same in East Gippsland Shire at Hinnomunjie and Doctors Flat. So, I think that Cobungra should have a sign too,” Beccy wrote.
“If Cobungra had a sign it would be very helpful to farmers because they could tell truck drivers that deliver the hay/stock/animal supplies to look out for the ‘Cobungra sign’ because they are two kilometres past that etc.
“It could also be useful in an emergency because if someone had a car crash and needed to let the ambulance driver know where they were, they could say they had just passed a sign with ‘Cobungra’ written on it.
“It would also be good for tourism because it would help people recognise the towns in our shire. That is why I think Cobungra should have a sign!”
So logical was Beccy’s request, Cr O’Connell responded promptly to advise that Council’s works department agreed and was preparing an application to Regional Roads Victoria. The application was made for two signs, on the southern and northern approaches to Cobungra.
On Tuesday 3 December the signs were installed by Council’s works department and Beccy had the honour of unveiling the ‘Welcome to Cobungra’ signs that will put Cobungra on the map with all Great Alpine Road travellers.
Cr O’Connell personally thanked Beccy.
“On behalf of Council, thank-you for taking the initiative and displaying community leadership qualities in putting forward this submission, which no doubt will assist in keeping residents and travellers through our region advised and, more importantly, safe,” Cr O’Connell said.
Beccy Plowman unveils the ‘Welcome to Cobungra’ sign she initiated and cuts the ribbon with East Gippsland Shire Council’s Manager Works Mark Burnett and Works Supervisor Hayley Hamilton on Tuesday 3 December.
