MemorialsTea Gardens Memorial Park and Gates
About
The Tea Gardens Memorial Park is a sporting field, adjacent to the Tea Gardens Public School. It includes a one-size football field, mini fields, cricket nets, and a synthetic cricket pitch. On the boundary are well-established mature trees. At the entrance on the corner of Witt and Hough Streets are the memorial gates. They consist of two brick pillars, joined by a metal gate. On the front of each pillar is a metal sword made into a cross and a smaller Latin cross is positioned in the centre of the gate. Above the gate is a metal arch bearing the inscription. The gate is flanked by two low brick walls, which are joined to the pillars with smaller metal gates. The origins of the park itself are earlier than the gates. On 3 February, the Dungog Chronicle published a report on a possible park in the Tea Gardens village. It stated Mr P. Ward, secretary of the Urban Committee, had written to the London-based Australian Agricultural Co. asking if they would clear their land in Witt Street "as it was a menace in the case of a bush fire." It was further reported Mr R.E. Zeininger, a Shire Councillor, had previously written to the same company asking them to donate the land for a park. His letter had been forwarded to England. On 16 June, the Chronicle published Zeininger's letter and the positive reply from the company. Once the land was donated, it was cleared. By March 1951, an Ex-servicemen's Club was formed with the intention of forming a sub-Branch of the RSL. At their urging, the construction of the gates was timed to allow for dedication at the upcoming Anzac march (Dungog Chronicle, 24 March 1951). The gates were dedicated on Anzac Day, 25 April 1951 at a service conducted by Reverend Weston of the Protestant religions and Mr R. Hopkins representing the Salvation Army. On 5 May, the Chronicle described the event in detail stating 38 ex-servicemen marched along the streets to the gates and "some 67 people attended" the ceremony. Anzac Day services are held in the park by the gates.