Celebrating Barbour Park in Gunning

Mayor of Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Brian McCormack OAM (right), about to cut the ribbon with President of GDHS Graham Dyer (left) at Barbour Park on Meadow Creek, Gunning, with the RV-friendly camping area is in the background.
Photo: Rosemary Spiller.

Twenty people from Gunning and district came together in fine Autumn weather in a very popular location on Sunday 30 April. The event was part of the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival. Mr Graham Dyer, President of Gunning and District Historical Society, outlined the "Barbour Park Seat of Reflection Project”. The Upper Lachlan Wood Guild and Gunning and District Historical Society (GDHS) had crafted and erected the memorial Seat of Reflection. It became clear that a roof was required.

As well as the community grant from Energy Developments (EDL), operators of the Cullerin Windfarm, GDHS had contributed a donation from Ms Alison Blackbourn, daughter of Dr Barbour, and its own funds to "enhance" the seat. GDHS thanks the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, especially the people from the Gunning depot who provided advice on ordering the structure, erected the roof and repositioned the memorial plaque which had been dedicated on Armistice Day 2015. Some people with well-developed aesthetic sensibilities have wished for a less functional structure but the lovely views of Meadow Creek are undiminished, as seen in the photo at top.

The McCormacks enjoying the Autumn sunshine.
Photo: Rosemary Spiller

Graham welcomed the Mayor of the Upper Lachlan Shire, Mr Brian McCormack OAM and Mrs McCormack to the “cutting the ribbon” ceremony. Brian reflected on how fondly Gunning people remembered Dr Barbour. He was a veteran of World War I, who came to Gunning in 1935 and was the local physician as well as serving as Shire President for 27 years. This park was conceived as a memorial to him. The Mayor congratulated GDHS for their activities and recounted some recent events with an historical flavour in other parts of the Shire that he and Mrs McCormack had been pleased to attend.

The Mayor commended EDL for the community grant to erect the roof which will protect users from the weather and preserve the handsome wooden seat. He spoke enthusiastically of other projects which EDL has funded throughout the Shire.

EDL: Sponsors of the Barbour Park Seat of Reflection Project

After Mr McCormack wielded the scissors on the ribbon, he and Mrs McCormack joined the locals for a cup of tea. We were then treated to a display of objects from the collection of historical artefacts unearthed locally by Michael Brown with the help of his metal detector. Some of the group then proceeded to Pye Cottage Museum, following the GDHS Walk Guide to the key historical buildings of Yass Street.

The Gunning and District Historical Society wishes to thank Energy Developments for their support of the Society and the Gunning community.

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