EDITORIAL: Gunnedah’s mystery street names have risen into conversation again, this time it’s Bickett Street or should we say Bicket Street?
The residential cul-de-sac off George Street was identified in last week’s history page as being named after by John Bicket and his son Jack – two pioneers of the Gunnedah district in the early 20th century. But just how the extra letter ‘t’ was added to the Gunnedah street sign remains a mystery.
Also creating confusion is Warrabungle Street in Gunnedah – not to be confused with the neighbouring Warrumbungle National Park to Gunnedah’s west.
The traditional spelling of Warrumbungle is a Gamilaroi word meaning ‘crooked mountains’ but the jury is still out on the meaning of the alternate spelling, Warrabungle.
Another falling victim is Daniel Keane Crescent off Links Road in Gunnedah. As we learned recently in the history pages, the street is named in honour of Father Keane, who led construction of the heritage St Joseph’s Catholic Church more than 100 years ago.
The crescent is U-shaped but as highlighted by one eagle-eye observer, a sign at one end includes the ‘e’ in Keane while the other end omits it. Taking an each-way bet perhaps?
None of us are immune from honest mistakes, the Gunnedah Times included, and regrettably we’ve published our share of misspelt names.
I guess it’s just a reminder for us all that attention to detail matters and we can all do better in that regard.
– Sam Woods
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