General News
24 November, 2025
Hold up! Take it slowly
ALMOST two years after the Inglewood community won its campaign to reduce the speed limit in Brooke Street, traders continue to raise concerns about main street speed.
Metres from the start of the 40kmh zone, Denis Rogers has placed a metal effigy of bushranger Ned Kelly on the Brooke Street bend near his antiques store.
“He’s holding a ‘slow’ sign to remind motorists that they’ve entered the 40kmh section of Brooke Street,” said Denis.
“They can’t miss our Ned ... he’s saying hold up, there’s shops and people here.”
During this month’s Inglewood Alive! street festival, Denis gave his Ned a special “stop” sign.
And the antique and car enthusiastic said people didn’t need Ned’s friendly encouragement to stop that day.
Denis was joined by friends and customers at the entrance to the former Appleby Garage surrounded by antiques in the century-plus old building.
In 1916 Jim Turpie and Alan Gillespie opened a farm implement business, which included the district’s first tractors.
The building became motor car garage with Charles Boyle as the mechanic who later took over the business before Fred Appleby bought the garage in 1927, extended the workshop and built a car showroom with a residence behind it.
The car showroom with its polished wooden floor opened as The Dance Palais in 1931.
Denis said he hoped the “slow” sign outside the historic garage would encourage motorists to stop and explore the town. “The sign serves a double purpose I suppose. We don’t want people scooting around the bend and continuing straight through town,” Denis said.
“Ned’s become something of a talking point ... the 19th century bushranger who did a few hold ups with a safety message for modern motorists.”