Environmentalist Ian Kiernan says he believed he would be among six notable Australians to lend their name to Sydney's new harbour ferries, only to be pipped in a public vote by Ferry McFerryface.
Five of the six new ferries have already been named after notable Australians Victor Chang, Fred Hollows and Catherine Hamlin, and Indigenous leaders Pemulwuy and Bungaree, based on the results of a public vote from a list of nominees.
The final name, Ferry McFerryface, was announced this week and was chosen after the competition drew more than 15,000 suggestions.
The public had been invited to put forward suggestions that were considered and then narrowed down by a four-person panel.
Mr Kiernan was among those to make the list of nominees but did not make the top six in the ensuing public vote.
But the Clean Up Australia founder said he was told more than a week ago that his name would be on one of the new ferries.
He said earlier this week he received a call from the office of Transport Minister Andrew Constance saying that would not be the case.
"I was in awe of the previous nominees," Mr Kiernan said.
"I thought that was a very good selection, mostly heroes of mine like Fred Hollows and I was disappointed to be quite honest."
Mr Kiernan said he had not received an explanation about the result.
"I was disappointed, I mean the people had voted on it and it was their selection, I was a bit surprised actually," he said.
Silly name 'one for the kids'
On Tuesday, Mr Constance announced the Ferry McFerryface name received hundreds of votes and said it was "one for the kids".
"We asked Sydney to name their new ferries, and we have listened," he said.
"Ferry McFerryface will be the harbour's newest icon, and I hope it brings a smile to the faces of visitors and locals alike.
"The most popular names by far in the Name Your Ferry competition were Victor Chang, Fred Hollows and Catherine Hamlin, which are already ferrying passengers across the harbour."
