THE newest street at the Gateway Estate subdivision in New Norfolk will be named in honour of the late John and Hilary Craw. Proposing the name at last week’s Derwent Valley Council meeting, Councillor Damian Bester said the Craws had been former councillors, businesspeople and historians. The motion was seconded by Cr Wayne Shoobridge, who said he had worked with Hilary on the council.
Mr and Mrs Craw arrived in New Norfolk in early 1960 to help prepare the town for the introduction of television in May that year. After initially trading in High St they eventually built their own home and two adjoining shops on the corner of Derwent Terrace and Second Avenue, where they operated their business and raised their family.
Both had an interest in local history, much of which was recorded by John in his role as a casual cameraman for TVT6 (now WIN Television), while Hilary helped to put our history on paper. John was also a pioneer in personal computing and provided many New Norfolk homes and businesses with their first computer.
The couple served on the New Norfolk/Derwent Valley Council at separate times and both were members of local service organisations. They moved to Granton in retirement but Hilary returned to New Norfolk after John’s death.
Cr Tony Nicholson said John had provided a wonderful service to Royal Derwent Hospital, keeping its many televisions in good order at a time when the technology was temperamental. Cr Chris Lester and deputy mayor Barry Lathey said they supported John and Hilary Craw being remembered in a street name.
