28 April 2017

Council Vote to Rename Central City Hamilton Street After Dame Hilda Ross

Hamilton City Councillors have given unanimous support to rename a central city street after politician and social activist Dame Hilda Ross (1883-1959), one of Hamilton’s most important city characters from last century.

The proposal to have a CBD street renamed to commemorate Dame Hilda Ross came from local trust TOTI. In their comprehensive proposal to Council, they suggested four options for consideration. The Council’s preference was to rename the east section of Ward Street (between Victoria Street and Worley Place) as Dame Hilda Ross Way. The section of Ward Street between Anglesea Street and Seddon Road is to retain its current name.

Mavora Hamilton, TOTI Trust says “We are determined to not let such an important twentieth century New Zealand history-maker be forgotten.” TOTI have also asked the Waikato District Health Board to consider naming their new central city facility in the converted Farmers building, the Dame Hilda Ross Health Centre. Dame Hilda Ross was a co-founder of children’s health camps and her political career began as a hospital board member. She famously said, “I am far more interested in the welfare of the community than in any party political warfare as such …”

TOTI already have council permission for a commemorative sculpture to be sited on the corner of Ward Street and Worley Place. Council were also in favour of naming the location of the sculpture to be called Dame Hilda Ross Plaza.

TOTI must now submit a Road and Open Space name/renaming application to Planning and Guidance. This application will start the notification process with local property and business owners before a final decision is made. A decision also has to be made as to which of the final artist concepts for the sculpture will be chosen. TOTI called nationally for artist concepts for the sculpture and after significant public consultation narrowed the entries down to three finalists.

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