BUSSELTON Jetty has had another layer of history painted on with the addition of signs naming the two train platforms after prominent locals.
Roy Morris and the Bovell family where honoured with platforms named after them in a ceremony held by the Busselton Jetty Enviro-nment and Conservation Association on Saturday morning.
The Roy Morris Platform is outside the Interpretive Centre and the Bovell Platform is towards the end of the jetty, just before the Underwater Observatory.
Trevor Fitzgerald, the BJECA president, said the platforms had been in the pipeline for a while.
“The honours were bestowed on the Bovell family and on Roy for services rendered to the jetty,” he said.
“Roy has been on BJECA for 27 years in one position or another, serving as president for nine years.
“The Bovells have been associated with the jetty for the better part of 100 years.”
Roy Morris has been fishing and working around the jetty for most his life, having once worked on ships moored at the jetty, with his father.
Roy thanked BJECA for the recognition.
“It is an honour and I am highly honoured and proud.
“The jetty is like my second home,” he said.
A short speech was made at the Roy Morris Platform, before the full train travelled to the end of the jetty, where guests witnessed the unveiling of the second platform and were taken on a guided tour of the Underwater Observatory.
“The platform signs recognise various contributions and the Bovell family have been contributing for so long and in so many ways,” Trevor said.
The Bovell family were also recognised for their long-standing connection to the jetty, starting with AR Bovell, who was instrumental in establishing Busselton’s early shipping industry along with his sons Reg and Sir Stewart Bovell.
Reg Bovell’s daughter Jane Burns and her husband John unveiled the Bovell Platform on behalf of the family and recalled Reg riding his bicycle down the jetty.
The name also recognises the support of the family for BJECA over its 35 years of existence.
“Although we live in Perth now, we like to spend time down here when we can,” Jane said.
“It’s nice to have this recognition.”
Reg’s bicycle has also been recognised in one of the metal sculptures which now adorn the intersections down Queen Street.
A morning tea was then held at the Goose café.
Ali’s Landing, a fishing platform midway up the jetty was also dedicated, to Ali Scott a past president of BJECA who was influential in progressing the restoration process on the historic structure.
