City of Melville council is investigating the merits of a “hall of fame” to honour local artists, sports stars and academics.
Under a proposal by Cr Daniel Lim, the hall of fame would be located at the region’s major shopping centre, Westfield Booragoon, and could also recognise musicians and scientists.
The council voted at a meeting last Tuesday night for chief executive Gail Bowman to prepare a report identifying ways for the city to cross-promote local achievements.
It will come back to the council by February.
Cr Lim said the hall would recognise the area’s “quiet achievers” and could also act as a tourist drawcard.
“(Residents) appreciate when we recognise the quiet achievers . . . because there’s not much happiness being delivered to the residents,” Cr Lim said.
“When we get more shoppers coming to Westfield Booragoon, it will enhance (shoppers’) spending and it ties in quite nicely with my tourism motion.
“If you bring activities to the city, it can only prosper the city and there’s more reason for people to visit the place, which is what I’m trying to do . . . it would be a bonanza for the prosperity of the city.”
But Cr Matthew Woodall said the city already recognised local heroes and feared another honour system could dilute the associated prestige.
“We have a lot of existing awards that recognise various Melville residents . . . I’d have to say there’s somewhat of a deluge of awards in recent times and I’m not necessarily sure that we need a hall of fame recognition,” he said.
“I understand Cr Lim’s intent and I think it’s a positive one and I know he wants to make a positive difference, but I think it’s somewhat of a feel-good thing and the more and more of these things you have, you risk diluting them all and you get to the point where everyone under the sun is getting awarded.”