The Onkaparinga council wants to rename the Arts Centre in Port Noarlunga to the Gilbert Arts Centre, in honour of the inaugural Mayor Ray Gilbert and his wife, Edith.

The proposal is now open for community feedback at the council’s yoursay website.

The Arts Centre is in Gawler Street, in the old Institute Building. The proposed new name would the Gilbert Arts Centre.

Council staff will be at the Arts Centre today, Saturday 11 June, from 1 – 4pm to discuss the proposal and take feedback.

Online feedback will be accepted until 9am, Monday 27 June.

Ray Gilbert died in 2020 at the age of 92. 

He and Edith moved to Port Noarlunga in 1956 when it was still a small community, and Ray joined the progress society shortly afterwards.

He was first elected to the City of Noarlunga in 1970 and was Mayor from 1985 to 1997.

He became the City of Onkaparinga’s inaugural Mayor in 1997 when the Noarlunga Council merged with Happy Valley and Willunga Councils. He retired in 2006.

Inaugural Onkaparinga Mayor, Ray Gilbert. Image: City of Onkaparinga