$object->{_id}; $object->{_private_property_of_template_called_id_leave_it_be}; # Both could then have an accessor method, respectively sub get_id () { $_[0]->{_id} } sub get_id () { $_[0]->{ _private_property_of_template_called_id_leave_it_be } } # And each would be called $object->get_id();