TALK is cheap and action is needed to find a way of honouring St Albans son and Socceroos captain Mark Viduka, locals say.
A month has passed since the idea of glorifying Viduka was brought to light but little has been done to recognise his achievements.
Local politicians have sent letters to Brimbank City Council calling for support and a response is yet to come.
Other locals, including St Albans Traders Association’s secretary Asip Demiri, believe it is time to form a steering committee to ensure the proposal is realised.
Suggestions such as a statue of Viduka in the St Albans Square or naming of a park or a street after the player have been made.
“It’s time we put it into action now,” Mr Demiri said.
“The idea has floated and it’s only a matter of us getting together and forming a steering committee of people from the political scene, sporting scene, community leaders and council,” he added.
Kororoit MP Andre Haermeyer sent a letter to council last month stating that the honouring of Viduka would provide encouragement and inspiration to young people in any field of endeavour.
He was expecting to meet council officers in the coming weeks to discuss the matter.
“I think the immediacy of the event starts to lose out a bit the longer you leave it. We’re very keen to try and get some commitment to it early on,” Mr Haermeyer said.
President of Keilor Downs ALP Branch Steve Schembri said four weeks had passed since he sent a letter to council calling for support of the idea.
“I’m disgusted. If we’re to send a letter saying we would like to honour a former councillor then I’m pretty sure they would have got back to us straight away,” Mr Schembri said.
In a response to Star, a Brimbank City Council media spokesperson said council was “communicating” with Mr Haermeyer on the matter.
Mr Demiri said there was no room for “political football”.
“I’m just not interested in that. I’m interested in honouring a guy that grew up in the area and had done so much to promote the suburb he grew up in,” Mr Demiri said.
And not only would the honouring of Viduka be a great role model for Brimbank’s youth but it would play a significant role for the future history Ron Dorre, president of St Albans History Society, said.
“St Albans over the years has been losing bits and pieces of its history. We’ve lost some significant buildings and trees in the last 10 years so this would create a new history for St Albans,” Mr Dorre said.
Residents who wish to be part of the steering committee can contact St Albans Traders Association secretary Asip Demiri on 0408 106 566.
