Gravel and bitumen; the history of the street names of Bairnsdale. By Anthony A. Meade.

Commended in the Local History Project Award, 2019 Victorian Community History Awards.

This award recognises activities that enhance access to records of significance to local communities.
An alphabetical listing of all the streets, roads and lanes of Bairnsdale that have existed since the birth of the town. The book includes background information on the names and where appropriate, illustrations, of the 385 names discovered. A readable history of the town with full referencing for the historian.

"I have written this book to provide the reader with a conside history of each of the street names of the City of Bairnsdale and its immediate vicinity. Some of the streets are outside the old town and city boundaries; however most of those living in these streets would consider themselves citizens of Bairnsdale. I have endeavoured to provide an accurate reason as well as description for every street name, however many require no reasoning as they are merely names pulled out of an imaginary hat of street names, some to a theme such as plants or wildlife and other for no known reason due to the effluxion of time or inability to discover the person who selected the name. There are almost 400 named streets and thorughfares in the town area and close environs, so far! A few no longer exist or have had their names changed. The names i have included are all those that i could find any record of either in maps, newspaper reports and official records or by information for experienced local people that i have interviewed over the past few years" Anthony Meade

This book has been produced with the assistance and generous grant money from the East Gippsland Shire COuncil through the Arts and Heritage Community Grants program of East Gippsland Shire Council.