Doubtful Creek Public School Second World War Memorial Gates

About

The memorial gates located at the entrance to the Doubtful Creek Public School consist of two masonry pillars, supporting a pair of metal swing gates. An honour roll plaque is attached to the right-hand side pillar. The history of the gates date back to 1948. That October, Terania Shire Council gave plans from a memorial gate constructed in Corndale, in Northern NSW, to the Dyraaba RSL sub-Branch. The sub-Branch wanted to build similar gates and a fence at the school in Doubtful Creek. The Parents and Citizens' Association considered the proposal at a meeting on 28 October, deciding to erect it to commemorate district servicemen who were killed in the Second World War. The cost of the project and fundraising options were also discussed (Northern Star, 25 October 1948; 28 October 1948). The further meeting was held in November where it was officially decided to proceed with the project. The Education Department agreed to "erect a fence four chains long" and a plaque listing the names of the two ex-pupils who had died in the war, Private A.J. Beasley and Private Gess, was to be installed. The gates were also intended to have an arch bearing the words 'To those who served', however the words were incorporated onto the metal gates instead. The construction was set to cost about 30 pounds and money was to be raised by public subscription (Northern Star, 4 November 1948). A year later, the gates were dedicated at the school on 2 December 1949. They were unveiled by the mothers of Privates Beasley and Gess. Special guests in attendance included the State President of the RSL, Mr W. Yeo; the Mayor of Casino, Ald. R.W. Manyweathers; and Reverend Robinson and Reverend Father Bradley (Northern Star, 30 November 1949).