Gloucester Memorial Park

About

Gloucester Memorial Park was established in the 1930s to officially recognise the land surrounding the Gloucester Memorial Clock Tower, which was dedicated in 1931. Over time, extensive work has been done to the park including the development of walkways, garden beds and lawns. The well-maintained park features a number of memorials including honour rolls, plaques, a Lone Pine, flagpoles and interpretative panels. Commemorative services are held on site. History  In 1929, action was taken by the Gloucester Soldiers' Memorial Committee to erect a memorial clock tower on a site in Church Street (Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer, 13 September 1929). By October 1930, the committee had purchased an alternate site between Bent and Hume Streets. On 20 October, the Newcastle Morning Herald published details of the clock to be constructed. Less than a year later, on 20 June 1931, the clock with unveiled.  On 12 July 1932, the Gloucester Advocate published details from the meeting of the Gloucester Shire Council held on Friday, 8 July. It reported: The Clerk was instructed to take steps to dedicate the memorial ground as a public park. The Gloucester Soldiers' Memorial Park Committe was formed and began fundraising for what was initially called Gloucester Soldiers' Memorial Park. At a meeting held in September 1932, the Gloucester Parents and Citizens' Association agreed to work with the children to beautify the park (Gloucester Advocate, 30 September 1932). On 9 June 1933, J.T. Hicks, the committee's Honorary Secretary, advertised in the Gloucester Advocate for "Patriotic Citizens" to plant trees at a later date. On 27 October, the Advocate contained two articles about the park. The first described a dance to raise funds for improvements including the construction of concrete steps, pergolas and lamp standards. The second detailed a council meeting where committee chairman E. Anderson outlined the works to date, which included provision of water, earthmoving, planting of flower beds and trees and placement of stones donated by a Councillor. Anderson explained the plan for the park had been created by Mr Patterson of the Park's Planning Association in Sydney and that council had made funds available through the "Unemployment Relief Scheme". Assistance had also been given by councillors and engineering staff. Approaches were to be made to the local school to look after one section of the park, to returned soldiers for maintenance of another section, and to council to mow the grass. In December 1949, the Parks Committee of the Gloucester Shire Council and the Shire Engineer decided to inspect the park and prepare a report. At that time, it was in a neglected state and the RSL had asked council to take over upkeep of the park.