THIS week’s photo shows the Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson archway which was designed by local architect Trevor Jones.
A series of three dual archways were specially constructed by Mr W.H. Hooper, who prefabricated a good deal of the framework, though each archway was decorated in its street location by Mr Pat Taylor, who used wool, paper, flowers, hessian and other materials to complete the elaborate structures.
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Each of the archways had names on it. The others had “Macquarie”, after Governor Macquarie, and “Evans”, representing George Evans the surveyor.
Bathurst took part in the Sesquicentenary Celebrations in mid-March 1938 to mark the foundation of Australia in 1788. The week-long celebrations started on Sunday, March 20, 1938.
The local Celebrations Committee was headed by the mayor, Alderman M.J. Griffin, with Mr B. Gregg the honorary director of the committee. Mr W.H. Hayes was the secretary and Mr G.A. Stirling the treasurer. Others included Mr W.G. Lee, inspector of schools, and the headmaster of Bathurst High School, Mr A.D. Frazer, who was assisted by other members of the High School staff, namely Mr A.J. Connors, Mr A. Shrubb and Mr Southwell. The headmistress of the Girls’ Primary School, Miss C. Barker, was largely responsible for the production of the souvenir booklet.
The NSW Governor Lord Wakehurst travelled to Kelso, arriving on the steam train on Monday, March 21, where a fleet of cars was awaiting his arrival. Lord Wakehurst and the official party were conveyed along Sofala Road, stopping at the entrance of Holy Trinity Church where the importance of this historic church was explained to him.
The convoy drove down Hereford Lane and over the low-level bridge before turning left into Stanley Street to view the rock cairn that had been constructed in lower William Street. The motorcade then proceeded up to the Council Chambers and Town Hall on the corner of William and Russell streets.
The Governor would have undoubtedly been impressed with all the decorations. There was so much bunting and flags that Bathurst was described as the “Fairy City of Lights and Bunting”. The streets were described as “bright with bunting and coloured lights”.
The Royal Hotel and Grand Hotel mounted numerous flags out the front for the week. Prominent buildings were flood-lit or picked out with thousands of tiny bulbs. Machattie Park was floodlit and described as “especially beautiful”. King’s Parade was lit too for the carnival held every night during the week.
Numerous dignitaries arrived in Bathurst during the week to take part in the various activities with numerous welcomes carried out at Bathurst Railway Station, which was also decorated for the occasion.
Dignitaries included state and federal individuals such as federal Member for Bathurst region Mr J.N. Lawson, NSW Police Commissioner Mr McKay, director of education Mr G. R. Thomas and chief railway commissioner Mr T.J. Hartigan. The president of the Board of Fire Commissioners Mr T.J. Smith and the president of the Rural Bank Mr C. R. McKerihan travelled up to the city.
Many ex-Bathurstians were attracted back to the city by the week-long celebrations, with the Monday being declared a public holiday, and the day set aside for the procession pageant. Lord Wakehurst took the salute from the dais in front of the Town Hall during the long line of specially prepared floats by many local groups, businesses and organisations, mounted ‘troopers’ and bushrangers, Cobb and Co coach, bullock teams, people in period costume, bands, militia and Air Force personnel. The procession was over two miles long.
The Western Stores float featured local young ladies wearing flower costumes. Some of those on the float were Miss Jean Croft, Miss Madge James, Miss Phyllis Flynn, Miss Sheila Fowler and Miss Dorothy Pettit.
