Apex Memorial Lookout, Armidale

About

The Apex Memorial Lookout in Armidale, NSW is dedicated to the members of Armidale's Apex Club who were 'lost in action' in the Second World War. The lookout features trees, shrubs and a grassed area, borded by a long stone wall and a wide bitumen cul-de-sac. It is located in Drummond Park and is accessed by Jeffrey Street. The lookout was officially opened in March 1956 by Lieutenant General Sir John Northcott, the Governor of NSW.  The entrance to the lookout is flanked by two concrete columns, each 16 feet high. The column on the left, approaching the lookout, bears the inscription at the top. The columns were designed by Armidale architect Tony Deakin of Maggofin and Son Architects and were built by P.J. Knudson in 1965–66. They replaced the earlier timber archway from the 1950s. The lookout also features the Drummond Memorial, which was unveiled by NSW Premier R. Askin on Saturday, 5 August 1966. It was established in honour of David Drummond, a notable politician. The memorial is a concrete pillar, and was part of the project to construct the two entrance columns at the lookout (The Armidale Express, 10 November 1965). History Drummond Park was a 40 acre site, gazetted as a Public Recreation Reserve, and control was vested in the then Armidale City Council. The park was developed in the 1930s and a scenic road leading to the top of the hill was constructed in 1938 (The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, 22 April 1931; 20 July 1938). Construction of the lookout, including some levelling work, building a retaining wall and planting of trees and low growing shrubs began in 1949, with asssitance form the council and consultation with the Armidale Beautification Committee. A plaque was also planned, listing the names of the four club members killed in the Second World War: Bruce Oliver, Allan Edwards, Consett Davis and Frank Hurley (The Armidale Express, 24 June 1949). However, this plaque is not located at the lookout in 2021. By 1951, the club were planning further improvements to the park, including an archway over the Jeffrey Street entrance to the lookout (The Armidale Express, 17 September 1951). A month prior, the council announced it would investigate a tree planting scheme in the park and action was taken to install flood lights. In the Armidale Express, 8 September 1954, the then president of the club, Ross Moore, provided an account of the club's many service activities. He refers to the lookout as still under construction: We have constructed a large retaining wall, levelled the area and planted numerous flowering shrubs and deciduous trees in an enclosure. Much work has yet to be done there and much more finance will be required to finish the job. We know, however, that when this scheme is completed, we have not only created a memorial, but have rendered a service to the community by adding another attraction to our beautiful city.  In March 1956, the Governor of NSW Lieutenant General Sir John Northcott officially opened the lookout. Drummond Park was later entrusted to the club. In 1960 there was a Declaration of Trust and a Drummond Park Planning Committee was formed in 1965.