THIS week’s image shows one of several archways constructed for the Bathurst Anniversary Celebrations that marked the foundation of Australia in 1788. This one is the ‘Macquarie’ dual arch with flags on top of the structure.
Bathurst was fortunate to secure a visit by the NSW Governor Lord Wakehurst in 1938. Trevor Jones, a local architect, designed the arches, which were constructed by Mr W.H. Hooper and decorated by Pat Taylor.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The week-long celebrations started on Sunday, March 20, 1938.
The mayor, Alderman M.J. Griffin, was the president of the local Celebrations Committee and Mr B. Gregg was honorary director. Mr W.H. Hayes was the secretary and Mr G.A. Stirling the treasurer.
The Governor arrived by steam train on Monday, March 21 at Kelso Railway Station. Lord Wakehurst and the official party were driven past Holy Trinity Church, down Hereford Lane and over the low level bridge, turning left along Stanley Street to view the rock cairn in lower William Street before proceeding up to the Council Chambers and Town Hall opposite the then AMP building.
Some of those in the official party were Mr J.N. Lawson, federal member for the Bathurst area; Mr Gus Kelly, MP, state member; Mr McKay, NSW Police Commissioner; Mr G. R. Thomas, director of education; Mr T.J. Smith, president of the Board of Fire Commissioners; Mr T.J. Hartigan; chief railway commissioner; and Mr C. R. McKerihan, president of the Rural Bank.
The Royal Hotel mounted numerous flags out the front of the building for the week. Minister for Local Government Mr Spooner and the mayor Alderman Griffin inspected the Begonia House during the impressive ceremonies. The Hon Mr E.S. Spooner, MLA, Alderman Griffin and Walter J. McPhillamy, ex-mayor of Bathurst, unveiled a tablet at Mount Panorama on March 17, 1938. Mr McPhillamy donated the land for the park on the summit of Mount Panorama.
Bathurst, at the time, was described as the “Fairy City of Lights and Bunting”. The week-long celebrations attracted many back to the city, with the Monday being a public holiday. Lord Wakehurst took the salute from the dais in front of the Town Hall, after which he unveiled a bronze tablet on the Carillon. The Bathurst Turf Club held a special two-day Anniversary Celebrations meeting on the Monday and Tuesday.
Bathurst’s Anniversary Pageant was watched by an estimated 20,000 people and the procession was over two miles long. It was described as “a brilliant spectacle”. Several troop detachments had been dispatched from Sydney to be part of the procession and they were supported by local troops. Little did they know that Australia would be at war in less than 18 months.
Eighteen pounder guns and crews took part. Mounted police led the Governor in the parade first. The Royal Australian Airforce Band followed with a detachment of Airforce personnel followed by C. Company members of the 54th Battalion. They were followed by a noisy light military tank.
Bathurst Boy Scouts came next, followed by floats. Bathurst Municipal Council’s contribution was the Governor Phillip float. Costumes of the governors were made locally by a number of ladies. The Experimental Farm’s float represented early Aborigines cooking opossum outside a gunyah.
Kelso residents’ float drawn by a bullock team depicted Lieutenant Cox and the road-builders. Various governors followed, such as Governor Brisbane with an escort of 12 soldiers. Governor Macquarie was arranged by Kelso residents. Then came a few early historic horse-drawn carriages, with one dating from 1831.
The Red Cross made a float depicting nursing from the time of Florence Nightingale, followed by a decorated Red Cross car. The Junior Red Cross from the Bathurst Public School arranged the “Ship of the young Crusaders”. The 150th anniversary of the founding of Australia was celebrated in many cities and towns around the state.
