On 27 February 2024, Council resolved to place the proposal to name a lookout at Fairlight the Jean Hay Lookout on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days with the outcome to be reported back to Council.

We asked you what you thought from Wednesday 6 March to Sunday 7 April 2024.

During the public exhibition period we received 826 submissions. The majority of respondents did not support the proposal.

Advice from Geographical Names Board

During the public exhibition period for this naming proposal, the Geographical Names Board of NSW clarified its initial advice and indicated that it considers the lookout area to be a geographical feature and not a facility. Naming a geographical feature requires the Board’s approval and the nominee to have been deceased for at least a year. Given this advice a community engagement report is not required and it has been recommended not to proceed with this naming proposal.

We proposed to name a lookout area in the park adjacent to the Manly Scenic Walkway, Fairlight, as the ‘Jean Hay Lookout’. This naming recognises Mrs Jean Hay, AM’s service and commitment to the community and local government, including as Mayor of Manly Council from 1999 to 2004 and from 2008 to 2016.

Should the proposal go ahead, we will upgrade the existing picnic setting (see image below) and install an interpretative sign to further acknowledge Mrs Jean Hay, AM’s contributions to our community.

Following a review of Mrs Jean Hay, AM’s career, it is considered that naming a lookout area in Fairlight would be a suitable way to honour the breadth of her career and contributions to the Northern Beaches community over many years.

Mrs Jean Hay, AM, a lifelong resident of Manly, was first elected to Manly Council in 1987. She served three terms as elected Mayor of Manly from 1999 to 2004, then 2008 to 2012 and from September 2012 until 12 May 2016.

Some of her many highlights include:

• Awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the Manly community through local government, community action and sporting groups, and as a fundraiser for welfare and health education programs (08.06.1998).
• Awarded the Centenary Medal for outstanding services as Mayor and Councillor of Manly (01.01.2001).
• NSW Ministers’ Award for Women in Local Government (Metropolitan Elected Representative) 2010.
• Member of many committees including - Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Board as a Member 2012 – 2016, Deputy Chair 2016 – 2021 and Acting Chair 2015
• Playing an important role in:
• the establishment of Bear Cottage in Manly, the only children’s hospice in the State, one of only three in Australia
• the development of the Manly Scenic Walkway
• the beautification of the Manly oceanfront walkways
• the establishment of the Manly Pathway of Olympians and Paralympians
• the upgrade of the Manly Andrew Boy Charlton Aquatic Centre
• the redevelopment of Seaforth TAFE with new community facilities and the provision of bus shelters in Manly at no cost to rate payers
• helping to raise funds and establish the Mobile Life Education classrooms for the Northern Beaches, now known as Healthy Harold
• helping to raise $2m for the Sunnyfield Association for a business and training centre
• the reestablishment of the Manly District Support Committee to help less fortunate people.