Hogan Street
Thomas Hogan was a selector and owner of land on the northern side of Hogan Street, extending from Ross Street to the eastern boundary of the now Presbyterian Church property. Hogan owned the land the Commercial Hotel was built on, known as the Top Pub, and was a Councillor with the Shire of Rodney from 1886-1910. Hogan Street was originally known as Goulburn Road and made up the northern boundary of the township.
Brown Street
William M. Brown was a councillor with the Shire of Waranga prior to the severance and the constitution of the Shire of Rodney. He continued as a councillor with Rodney until his resignation in 1890, and his distinguished service was remembered by the naming of Brown Street.
Fraser Street
The Honourable Simon Fraser, a contractor responsible for the construction of many of Australia’s railway lines, stood for, and was elected to the Rodney electorate in 1874. Mr Fraser subsequently became one of the first Senators in the newly-formed Commonwealth of Australia.
O’Toole Street
Named in the 1950s in recognition of the O’Toole family, particularly Patrick O’Toole, a popular identity and solicitor. Pat was a man with a keen sense of humour and interest in the town’s cultural life and art, tennis and bowls. His brother Jack was interested in racing and football, and his knowledge of stock was in great demand as a buyer for various firms. A fact that no doubt influenced the council in its naming for the street fronting the saleyards.
Albert Street
Like many other streets in the state at that time, Albert Street was named in memory of the very popular Prince Consort to Queen Victoria.
Casey Street
James Joseph Casey was the Minister for Lands and was undoubtedly involved in the proposal to establish the township, and happy to have his name perpetuated in what was intended to be the main street of the new township.
Francis Street
James Goodall Francis was the Premier of Victoria at the time of Tatura’s proclamation.
Bartlett Street
John Barlett was the manager and later owner of the soft drink manufacturing business that set up in Service Street in the early days of Tatura. He became a councillor of the Shire of Rodney from 1921-1931.
Francis and Martin Streets
The extension of Francis Street was named Martin Street in recognition of the father and son who successively occupied the position of Shire secretary from 1900 to 1958. Thomas Martin was revered as a “thorough gentleman”, his son William “Plugger Bill”, retained a keen interest in horses and always found time to breed and race a few trotters.
Hastie Street
Formerly Wilson Street, the name was changed by the council in 1957, because of the duplication caused by the naming of Wilson Avenue. The change of name caused some brief concern because of the close friendship between the Wilson and Hastie families, but this was soon forgotten. Hastie was so called after Thomas Hastie, councillor of the Shire of Rodney from 1921-1965. Tom was an extremely popular personality, a farmer, footballer and involved in all aspects of the social and sporting life of the town. The Goulburn Valley Football League premiership trophy is named the T.J.E. Hastie Cup, in memory of the League’s longest serving president.
Kerford and Service Streets
George Brisco Kerford was the solicitor-general of Victoria, and James Service was the treasurer. Both later became state premiers.
O’Reilly Road
Thomas O’Reilly was an original selector of land south of Tatura and his descendant “Mick”, a popular bachelor, and direct descendant, lived for some years in Ross Street at the western end of the road now bearing his name.
Maher Street
The Maher family, like the O’Reillys, were original selectors of land in the Tatura district, however, the name Maher Street honoured the service to the Rodney Council of Cr John Maher from 1953-1961. Jack for many years owned the Commercial Hotel and was renowned for carrying a mini beer glass in his waistcoat pocket, so that he could go the distance with his many friends without having the need to drink too much.
Pyke Street
Archie Pyke was another popular figure around Tatura in the earlier part of the century. Archie owned one of the first steam wagons in Tatura, and carted many cubic yards of crushed rock from the rail siding to construct roads in the area. In later years, he owned a garage “opposite the clock,” and could be relied on to be able to “get you going” if you had the misfortune to suffer a mechanical breakdown – not a frequent occurrence in the 1930s. Archie lived in the house fronting what is now Pyke Street.
Park Street
Dr Alexander Park was a much loved medical practitioner, in whose memory the Hogan Street clock tower was erected. Dr Park bought a number of lower allotments fronting the north side of Hogan Street. In 1920 Park Street was created including those lots and with a number of residential allotments fronting the new street.
Cussen Street
Martin Cussen was a dynamic personality in the 1880s, a councillor of the Shire of Waranga, the first president of the Shire of Rodney, chairman of the Rodney Irrigation Trust and a Member of Parliament.
Ross Street
In 1872, Angus Ross was able to purchase from James Winter, owner of the Dhurringile Estate, land on which to erect a store and post office. This building, and Sheehan’s Hotel on the northeast corner of the township, were the first in Tatura. At the time of the township’s sale, Angus was able to get freehold title to the site of the store which fronted the Murchison/Tatura Road. As virtually the founder of Tatura, it was logical that he should give his name to Ross Street.
