By NOEL MURPHY
HIS Order of Australia Medal has been stripped from him after serving seven years behind bars for stealing millions of dollars but City Hall continues to recognise disgraced former mayor Frank de Stefano with a street named in his honour at North Geelong.
De Stefano Dve runs off Weddell Rd opposite Geelong Saleyards and beside Geelong Multicultural Hostel.
Frank de Stefano, who also served as Barwon Water’s chairman and as a stalwart of Ethnic Communities Council, handed his OAM back several years ago but Commonwealth of Australia Gazette listed it as formally rescinded last week.
De Stefano is now in company with entrepreneurs Alan Bond and Dick Pratt, judge Marcus Einfeld and TV host Steve Vizard, all disgraced former award recipients.
De Stefano was sentenced in 2003 to 10 years with a minimum of seven for stealing $8.6 million, including $5 million from quadriplegic Tom Papic.
De Stefano lost most of the money gambling at Crown Casino but also spent some on home renovations, school fees and donations to the Geelong Football Club and the Liberal party.
The Independent reported after his sentencing that North Geelong residents had called on council to rename the street.
A City Hall spokesperson said this week that changing the street name would require a formal request from a member of the public along with a proposal for the renaming.
Officers would assess the request and suggested name before putting them before council for a decision, the spokesperson said.
