Fifty Years in the Making
In 1971 the Rotary Club of Goulburn began an affiliation with the park area at Marsden Weir in Goulburn. In the Rotary Club year, 1971-72, President Bill Thwaite and members of the Club embarked on a project to have a continuous link between the park and the Club. The project included the planting and maintaining of trees, erection of fencing, picnic tables, a double-sided barbeque and bins. Fifty years later in conjunction with the Goulburn/Mulwaree Council, a design for a new sign was selected, manufactured and is now in position proudly displaying Goulburn Rotary Park,
See the full timeline below.
Goulburn Rotary Park Fifty Years in the Making
In 1971 the Rotary Club of Goulburn began an affiliation with the park area at Marsden Weir in Goulburn.
In the Rotary Club year, 1971-72, President Bill Thwaite and the members of the Club had several projects that year, one project was to have a continuous link to the Club. The Community Service Committee under the Directorship of Frank Gulson commenced work on the Marsden Weir Project. The Committee: Jim Clifton, Bill Edwards, Harry Gillett, Max Hay, Ken Hope, David Klem, Ray Leeson, John McNiven, Alick Obst, Jack Pollard, Jim Saunders, Edgar Southwell, Eric Southwell, Don Stewart, Bob Woodruff, George Wyles.
The project included, planting and maintaining of 18 ornamental trees. Erection of car and vandal proof fencing. Constructing and erecting 3 sets of picnic tables. Pouring of a concrete pad and construction of a double-sided barbeque and fuel storage bin. Construction and erection of garbage disposal bins. Frank and the Committee expended some $308 on materials and many hours of hard work.
During Rotary Year 1990-91, Community Service Director, Ross Durrant, organised an upgrade of “Rotary Park” at Marsden Weir. This included: Planting of 20 trees and shrubs to commemorate Arbour Day. Generally, beautify the area over a three-year period and update the existing picnic facilities by installing electrical BBQs. The Club donated $1500 towards the upgrade.
During Rotary Year 1996-97, Community Service Director, John Craig, organised with the Goulburn City Council, installation of playground equipment in the “Rotary Park” at Marsden Weir which included the “ship”. The funding for this upgrade was some $15,000 which was reimbursed to the Council over two to three years.
During Rotary Year 2000-01, Community Service Director, Jock Robertson, organised placing timber bollards and replacing fencing around the Play Centre. The addition of a Swing Set saw the completion of the Northern end of the “Rotary Park”.
In 2015, the Goulburn/Mulwaree Council replaced the aged play equipment, particularly, the “ship”.
In July 2019 Rotarian Carol James reported to the Club that the estimated cost of the Rotunda for the Marsden Weir Rotary Park was $32,000. This quote is to be confirmed through the Goulburn Mulwaree Council. The council is also considering the Club request that they contribute a concrete base for the structure, estimated at $10,000. On the question of inserting a Rotary symbol in the concrete base, President Bruce Hammond reported that he was seeking advice from a Goulburn stone mason as to the preparation of an engraved stone insert into the concrete base.
The current rotunda, with a budget of some $20,000 was constructed by Robbie Hughes and the Goulburn/Mulwaree Council in December 2019 with the Rotary Wheel being placed in the centre by Stone Mason John Greaves of Greaves Memorials and Stone Masonry.
On Wednesday 15th January 2020, President Bruce Hammond welcomed all Rotarians to the commencement of a new calendar year and to celebrate the completion of the rotunda project. He also welcomed our club guests, Daniel Strickland, Robbie Hughes and family, outbound Youth Exchange Jaseta Sullivan and her mother Aleta.
On Saturday 17th October 2020, members of the Rotary Club met along with representatives of the Colless family at the Rotunda in the picnic area at Marsden Weir. The occasion was arranged by the Rotary Club to unveil a plaque, affixed within the Rotunda, dedicated to George and Daphne Colless. George was a Rotarian for thirty-nine years. George and Daphne sadly passed away the previous year.
An application to formally name the park, Rotary Park, was submitted to the Goulburn/Mulwaree Council. The application was supported by the Council for the name change and was passed onto the Geographical Names Board. A geographical location was required to be added to the name proposal, so the name “Goulburn Rotary Park” was proposed. Approval was given by the Geographical Names Board of NSW in November 2020. This year, in conjunction with the Goulburn/Mulwaree Council, a design for the new sign was selected, manufactured and is now in position proudly displaying Goulburn Rotary Park, fifty years in the making.
Regards
Alex Oliver
Director of Publicity
Rotary Club of Goulburn
For more information contact Alex Oliver on 0419 629 269.