Residents were invited to comment on four proposals put forward to replace the existing logo, introduced with the formation of the Wangaratta Council in 1995.

Council’s communications and marketing manager, Andrew Chuck, said the feedback included passionate responses for and against the proposal.

“And what has been very pleasing to see is the knowledge and understanding of the word Wangaratta,” he said.

Among those to make a submission was retired teacher and Order of Australia recipient, Adrian Twitt.

Mr Twitt said he felt strongly that the city should retain its existing logo, featuring a cormorant with wings spread, because it “symbolises what Wangaratta and surrounding area is”.

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“Wangaratta is Aboriginal for resting place for cormorants and that is incorporated into the design, as well as other features, and it’s a highly appropriate logo for our area,” he said.

“Not only does it relate to original meaning of Wangaratta, it has incorporated in it a rising cormorant and symbolises a rising municipality going forward.”

Wangaratta Senior Citizens Club president Margaret Walters said her personal view was that if it’s not broken, then don’t fix it.

“Why spend more money on getting another one?” she said.

“I really can’t see the point, but if council feel they’ve got to have it then it’s their choice.”

While he supported a move to change the logo, resident David Lawson said we was a “bit disappointed” with the alternative designs put forward.

The organiser of Wangaratta’s Viva Italia festival said he would like a new logo to include the helmet worn by bushranger Ned Kelly and grapes or wine to represent the region’s tourist attractions.

“We should be selling what we’ve got rather than some bleak thing like a shag on a rock,” he said.

The proposals include two new designs and another which uses elements of the existing logo, but in a new layout.

The final proposal allows for the existing logo to be re-coloured to blend with more vibrant signage and using a more dynamic font.

Mr Chuck said a full report would go to the next council meeting in December for a decision.