Orange councillors unanimously approved the name Sir Charles Cutler Park for the Fenton subdivision’s public reserve on Tuesday night.

The playground to be built there will be named in honour of his wife, Lady Dorothy Cutler.

During discussions, councillor Russell Turner said Sir Charles’s service at Tobruk and Syria during World War II and his 28 years in State Parliament as the member for Orange, including 10 as deputy premier, made him deserving.

“In fact it’s an embarrassment that he hasn’t been recognised before now,” he said. 

Cr Turner recognised the recent naming of Anson Street School oval after Lady Cutler due to her work with the school, but she had also worked with Girl Guides and what was then called the Spastic Centre.

“She’s worthy of recognition in her own right,” he said.

The couple’s son, Neil Cutler, said it was a “wonderful honour”.

“They were Orange people through and through and it’s nice to have something that will maintain their names for years into the future,” he said.

“Both my parents worked for growth and development over many years and to have a new area of Orange named after them is quite appropriate.”

Mr Cutler said he and his three siblings’ upbringing had been like any other, despite a busy household.

“Although I learned to be a waiter very early on in life,” he said with a laugh, recalling the parties at the family home.

“I’ve always been very proud of them - they came through the Depression and the war.

“It was hard for mum because she drove ambulances during the war, not knowing whether her fiance would come back.” 

Sir Charles Cutler’s successor as the member for Orange, Garry West, remembered his mentor as someone he could always approach for advice.

“His most significant contribution to NSW was when he was education minister - a lot of schools were constructed during his time,” he said.

“He was someone I looked up to.”

Councillors also approved the name for the subdivision’s main road, Tilston Way.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au