USE of the Mallee fowl as an emblem for Inglewood Football Club can be traced to the early years of the 20th Century.
Club historian David Rose said Mallee Fowl has been used to symbolise Inglewood’s eucy industry.
“In 1907 a football team of eucy distillery workers played a series of matches against Inglewood’s Second-Rate Team, and were known as the Mallee Birds,” he said.
“Inglewood Football Netball Club’s current Eucy Cutter membership utilises the Mallee fowl in its design.
“Mallee fowl were not uncommon around Inglewood, particularly before European settlement.
“I could take you on a 15-minute drive through the Inglewood bush and show you three former mallee fowl nests. Others could probably show you more.
“There is an interesting article in an Inglewood Advertiser from 1861 discussing the bird, its nests ‘which are to be found in the neighbourhood of Inglewood’, and a live example that could be seen at the Newmarket Hotel."
Mr Rose said the Mallee fowl was a “uniquely interesting bird and I think it’s a good idea to leverage this interest, while maintaining/building its symbolism with Inglewood’s ‘Eucy’ industry”.
He said people should view the Streetscape plans and fill out the council survey.
“(There are) a lot of positive improvements included in the plan. The entrance sign is only one small component,” Mr Rose said.
“Plans clearly state that the design of the sign isn’t finalised – not necessarily that shown - but will be themed around Mallee fowl and granite representing Gateway to Kooyoora.
“Is the shire entrance sign being replaced, or is the streetscape sign in addition? Does Wedderburn not retain its shirethemed signage in addition to the streetscape signage?
“In either case, the current Blue ‘Eucalyptus’ Town wording is incorrect – Blue Eucy refers to Blue Mallee or the oil produced from the Blue Mallee, I’ve never heard of such a thing as Blue Eucalyptus. Mallee fowl and eucy Industry are not mutually exclusive.”