After the British public voted for\u00a0a \u00a3200m ship to be called "BoatyMcBoatFace" instead of something more sensible, the trend swept the globe.<\/p>\n
However, this was not the case in Australia, where a transport minister ignored a $100,000 (\u00a357,510)\u00a0public vote in which the name\u00a0FerryMcFerryFace only won 182 votes.<\/p>\n
An FOI by broadcaster 9News revealed the true winner was the name of Clean Up Australia founder,\u00a0Ian Kiernan, with 2025 eligible votes.<\/p>\n
New South Wales Transport Minister\u00a0Andrew Constance quietly hand-picked the name FerryMcFerryFace after the public rejected it.<\/p>\n
The NSW government had previously led the public to believe the choice was popular, saying: "Given Boaty was already taken by another vessel, we\u2019ve gone with the next most popular name nominated by Sydneysiders."<\/p>\n
\nNot sure how I feel about boarding Sydney\u2019s controversial ferry #ferrymcferryface #sydney #ferry #allaboard pic.twitter.com\/p9QQuWIOyM<\/p>\n
— Peter Brennan (@9peterbrennan) January 28, 2018<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
After reports came out, the minister said\u00a0the name was always going to be temporary.\u00a0<\/p>\n
"We always said we would just run it over summer, have a look at how it goes," he told Channel Nine.<\/p>\n
"It\u2019s had a bit of international recognition, bit of lighthearted fun, lots of kids taking selfies.<\/p>\n
"We followed the panel recommendations for the first five but, for the last one, we thought, \u2018Let\u2019s do something a bit different\u2019."<\/p>\n
\nCome meet @FerryMcFerry Face at Man O\u2019War Steps today from 10am #santa #facepainting #forthekids https:\/\/t.co\/5U8cn8mqPW pic.twitter.com\/MCdYdvZGfQ<\/p>\n
— Andrew Constance MP (@AndrewConstance) December 16, 2017<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He then said that the ferry is officially named Emerald 6 for maritime purposes and branded Ferry McFerryface.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, he announced the boat would be re-named after author May Gibbs.<\/p>\n
Other names on the shortlist were author May Gibbs, Sydney Opera House architect Jorn Utzon, former Governor Dame Marie Bashir and artist Ken Done.<\/p>\n