Last August an interpretive sign featuring the story of Bathurst sporting identity Ron ‘Leary’ Learmonth was erected at the entrance of Learmonth Park, and after plenty of positive feedback, earlier this year council decided Machattie Park should have a similar sign.

Mayor of Bathurst, Graeme Hanger, described the new sign as “magic” and well overdue.

“The sign that was here was in a scabby condition,” he said.

“This new sign is part of a tourist walk right past the park, so now people will now why the park was named after Dr Machattie and who he is.”

Cr Hanger said people have already been stopping to have a look.

“I was here at 8.50am this morning and someone had stopped to read the whole thing,” he said.

The interpretive sign features the story of  Dr Machattie  who was born in Scotland and studied at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. He came to Australia and in1839 came to Bathurst where he practiced medicine until his untimely and sudden death in 1876.

Dr Machattie gave much more to the district than his skills as medical practitioner. In 1862, when Bathurst was declared a Municipality, he was one of the first Aldermen and was elected Mayor of Bathurst on three occasions (1871 – 1873).

He was also the returning officer for the Electorate of Bathurst and magistrate for the district.