A local couple who lived in Long Gully for 9 years has paid tribute to the suburb by naming their first child: Bong Gully.
“We are 5th generation Long Gullyan’s,” said Kendrew and Mackennziee Waterson. It’s also living tribute to where their baby was conceived.
“It actually didn’t start out as just us loving Long Gully,” Kendrew said. “Mackennziee is a tenth-generation Long Gullyan so she wanted to pick a name inspired by her heritage.”
“You see people changing the signs on Eaglehawk road from Long to Bong. We thought they were onto something” the couple said.
The move outraged their Kendrews parents, friends and family who are from more influential Bendigo suburbs. “They could’ve picked Rod Fyffe, RSL or Splash Park as a name,” Kendrew’s parents said. “What’s wrong with a normal name like Michael or Steve?”
Apart from allowing their baby to be vegan, gender-neutral and free range, they have also chosen not to get their child to be vaccinated. “It’s Bong Gully’s choice,” the Waterson’s said.