The naming of lanes

There are several lanes in North and West Melbourne that have existed for more than 100 years without having been graced with a name. The City of Melbourne is responsible for naming and takes this responsibility seriously.

First, there is discussion with local residents, and, as a representative area body, the Hotham History Project and the Local History Librarian are involved in the consultative process.

Once a name has been suggested and given general agreement there remains a further period when people can criticise the decision. And then the usual process of consolidation begins – obtaining the consent of the relevant council committee and other interested parties.

One of the lanes that is currently under consideration runs from Curzon St to Abbotsford St, running parallel to Victoria and Elm streets. This rectangular piece of land was once the site of Melbourne’s Benevolent Asylum that was opened in November 1851. The asylum remained on this site until 1911 when it was demolished and a new asylum built in Cheltenham.

The asylum opened with 23 men, four women and five children but the number of inmates increased dramatically with the number of immigrants arriving after the discovery of gold in Victoria.

In July 1858 there were around 150 residents, including a 19-year-old Irish girl who had arrived in Melbourne in 1853 to work as a general servant. Anastasia Leahy had been born in Tipperary around 1838. Four years after her arrival she was completely blind and was admitted to the asylum where she remained until, together with the other residents, she was moved to Cheltenham.

She was not happy with the change to her living arrangements, as reported in The Argus of March 28, 1911: “She would have been well content to have spent the few remaining years of her life within sound of the city clocks and the tinkle of the trambells”.

Special celebrations were held to celebrate both the 50th (in North Melbourne) and the 60th (in Cheltenham) anniversaries of her arrival at the Benevolent Asylum. On the latter occasion “A huge cake, capable of providing every inmate with a portion, was presented as well as ale and tobacco for all.” And the event was also celebrated with a special concert. Described as having a “happy disposition”, until her later years she had been able to do light duties in her ward. Anastasia died in November 1921.

Anastasia lived for 53 years on the land through which the lane runs, and the Hotham History Project supports the naming of this lane after her.

The Melbourne Benevolent Asylum from which this information has come, was written by Mary Kehoe and published in 1998. It has been very popular and has been reprinted several times.

It can be ordered through the Hotham History Project website. The cost is $16. The book can be delivered for no charge to addresses in North and West Melbourne (postcodes 3003 and 3051) but for all other Australian postcodes a flat rate delivery fee of $11.30 is charged. It can also be purchased at the North Melbourne Library.

The website address is hothamhistory.org.au. Anyone interested in knowing more about the history of North and West Melbourne is encouraged to join and receive our newsletters. •