Mary Adams at the Memorial Rotunda, Gulgong
Source: Photo provided by Ralph Hawkins
The Gulgong District Soldiers Memorial in ANZAC Park Gulgong is a rotunda built to commemorate those who served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. This is the second oldest World War I memorial in Australia, being built in 1916. It was officially unveiled in 1918.
The top of the memorial represents the tin helmet worn by the ANZACs. The eight pillars represent the six States and two Territories. At the top of each of the pillars is a letter. Together, the letters stand for ANZAC and GPA: that is, ANZAC and the Gulgong Progress Association, which was responsible for the building of the memorial.
Source: Col Bailey
HISTORY by BARBARA HICKSON
Members of the Gulgong Progress Association were very early in their plans to create a suitable monument to commemorate the local soldiers serving in the Great War. As early as October 1915 a mass meeting was held to discuss a memorial. At that meeting, it was recalled that ‘the Mayor told the Municipal Council to go on with the work’. However, ‘the Council handed the work over to the Progress Association.’[1]
Members of the Gulgong Progress Association were very early in their plans to create a suitable monument to commemorate the local soldiers serving in the Great War. As early as October 1915 a mass meeting was held to discuss a memorial. At that meeting, it was recalled that ‘the Mayor told the Municipal Council to go on with the work’. However, ‘the Council handed the work over to the Progress Association.’[1]
The plans were envisaged three years before the War ended and by early 1916 a Band Rotunda had been chosen as a suitable depiction of peace. A design competition was called.
By mid/late 1916[2], the Mudgee Guardian reported the result of a design competition, calling for a band rotunda ‘to be erected in honour of our soldiers’. The Gulgong Progress Association was rewarded with 11 competitors from ‘all parts of the state and Victoria’ and selected Albert Edmund Bart as the winning entry. AE Bart was an architect practising from 92B Pitt Street Sydney. Albert Bart was a well-established Sydney architect with a practice including church and school work. His design depicted the tin helmet worn by the ANZACs as the top of the memorial, and this was to be constructed in reinforced concrete.
By early November 1916 many of the neighbouring localities, including Stubbo, Sandy Creek, Wilbetree, Goolma and Yamble, had agreed to join in with the Memorial Rotunda project, while the architect AE Bart had offered to do the supervision free of charge. Two local bands also offered to support the project with performances. Donation money came from all corners and soon sufficient money was in hand to proceed.
In late November 1916, five tenders for the construction were received. The lowest was that of J. Wildman for £212. The tender was accepted.[3] Members of the GPA and Rev EP O’Donnell met to determine the best location for the monument in the park and the builder was requested to start at once. The final cost of the Monument was £244.
Initially, there was some dispute as to the location for the monument. Various sites had been considered including the ‘People’s Park’ and the present location. The location was resolved and plans and specifications for the structure were submitted on the 6th December
1916 by RM McKlintock acting
hon secretary for the GPA to the Gulgong Council. Their acceptance of
the plans was moved by Alderman Baldwin, seconded by Ald Fyfe, and passed by
all at Council.
Source: Written by Barbara Hickson with reference to:
1 Mudgee Guardian 17 August 1916. Meeting at Tallawang.
2 Mudgee Guardian 13 July 1916
3 Mudgee Guardian 27 November 1916
Source: Building : the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant. Vol. 24, No. 142 (12 June, 1919)
The picture above shows the ‘sapling’ scaffolding, most of the brickwork completed and the work well
on the way towards the roof.
By January 1917, work on the rotunda was underway with a completion date proposed for early March. In May 1917:
A public meeting was held in the Gulgong Town Hall to discuss[4] matters in connection with the memorial Band Rotunda. It was reported that the final certificate from the architect had been received, and that the rotunda had been paid for. It had been decided to open the rotunda at an early date, and later to erect the tablets on which the names of the soldiers commemorated will be inscribed. The cost of the tablet would be £150, which has yet to be raised.This will be done later on when the calls on the public generosity are less numerous and urgent than at present. It was decided to organize a working bee for the improvement of ‘the park’ in which the rotunda stands. A large number of those present gave in their names as willing to assist in the improvement of the park. Mr. Gormly, of Mudgee (Engineer to Wyaldra Shire) is to be asked to supervise the improvement work. A motion thanking the Progress Association for its work in connection with the rotunda was carried by acclamation.
The Mudgee Guardian, on 11 Feb 1918, reported
At the monthly meeting of the Gulgong Progress Association, it was decided to open the Memorial Band Rotunda Saturday afternoon, March 9th 1918. Captain W.F. Dunn M.L A. is to be asked to perform the ceremony of officially unveiling the rotunda, and an invitation to be present and assist is to be sent to Mr. W G. Ashford, Minister for Lands.
However, due to Mr WF Dunn being ill, the opening was delayed shortly to Thursday April 25th 1918.[5]
Source: Written by Barbara Hickson with reference to:
4 Mudgee Guardian 21 May 1917
5 Mudgee Guardian 18 march 1918
"This is an unusual, substantial form of memorial that, unfortunately, is all too uncommon. The only woodwork about it is the flagpole, as will be seen from the picture. The work is carried up in brick and cement, and afterwards covered in cement facing." A E Bates, Architect.
THE GULGONG ANZAC MEMORIAL, SHOWING THE FINISHED DESIGN
"The building has a practical purpose in it. It is designed for a bandstand, the domed roof being of ferro-concrete, and the shields under the eaves carrying the symbolic letters of the Anzac troops, and those of the Gulgong Progress Association, which is bearing the cost of the erection. The large slab in the centre panel is of trachyte, designed to carry the names of the local heroes, and even in this an unusual degree of permanency is shown."
A.E. Bates, Architect, was the successful competitor for the design.
Source: Building : the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant. Vol. 24, No. 142 (12 June, 1919)
1918 - Gulgong Memorial Band Rotunda.SCENE at the official opening of the Gulgong Memorial Band Rotunda, which stands in Anzac Park, fronting the main Mudgee-Gulgong road. The ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Gulgong (Alderman Wade Gudgeon). The rotunda has been erected by the Gulgong Progress Association in honour of the citizens of the district who have heard and responded to the Empire's call. The money was raised by donations and the holding of a number of functions. The building is of solid reinforced concrete throughout, even the dome being treated in this way. The rotunda is regarded as one of the finest in Australia, and is the only one of its kind to be seen in any country district. This kind of structure was adopted by the association because of its lasting qualities; it will last for generations and properly emphasise the undying valour of the Australian soldier. It is proposed to add a huge trachyte tablet when the war is over showing the names of the local soldiers. About 200 men from the Gulgong district have enlisted.
1918 - GULGONG MEMORIAL ROTUNDA
Erected In Anzac Park, Gulgong, in honor of the Gulgong soldiers, and opened by the Mayor (Ald. Wade Gudgeon). The memorial is built of reinforced concrete, and is regarded as the only structure of its kind in the Commonwealth. It was erected by the Gulgong Progress Association and handed over to the municipal body. About 200 of the district's residents have enlisted.
1918 - Gulgong Band Rotunda.
At the monthly meeting of the Gulgong Progress Association, it was decided to open the Memorial Band Rotunda on Saturday afternoon, March 9. Captain W. F. Dunn M.L.A. is to be asked to perform the ceremony of officially opening the rotunda, and an invitation to be present and assist is to be sent to Mr. W G. Ashford Minister for Lands.
Improvements to ANZAC Park - by BARBARA HICKSON
On the 29th April 1918 the Council decided to place a fence around the memorial.[6] Fencing of the Memorial band Rotunda was estimated at £30. [7]
In August 1918[8] an offer was made by the headmaster of the Gulgong Public School, Mr EA Drew, that his pupils would plant and maintain a garden around the rotunda. However, this may not have been successful for very long and by June 1919 there was an official ‘keeper’ of the park noted in the Gulgong Advertiser, on 3 June 1919:
ANZAC PARK is now looking its best, the caretaker Mr. J. Baldock has done good work, the footways and the flower beds are in first-class order with the park being kept clean.
It was decided to erect a notice board and lock the gate around the rotunda to prevent the structure being damaged by small boys - Ald Hoult reported having seen the boys sliding down the approaches to the rotunda.
1919 - ROTUNDA
Ald Stahl: stated that the rotunda and park were practically unused all through summer—there was no encouragement to do so. There is nothing to sit on. It was like building a house and not living in it. There is no shade and in wintertime, it is too bleak.
Source: Gulgong Advertiser - March 11th 1919
On the 6th November 1927 in the Gulgong Advertiser, it was noted that ‘handsome gates to be erected at the Medley Street entrance to Anzac Park will be received in Gulgong this week’.
In January (1928) the town Clerk called for tenders for a caretaker to attend the park. Subsequently two brothers, Messrs. R S Bayliss & J F Bayliss, each tendered for the position of caretaker for Anzac Park. The tenders came before the last Council meeting and Mr. R S Bayliss was appointed at the rate of 12/6 per week.[9]
In May 1928 the whole park was fenced to keep roaming stray animals off it.[10]
Rose bushes were planted and Gulgong Council resolved to write to Mr S Coleman for pruning the rose bushes in Anzac Park free of cost. It was mentioned that Ald Baldwin had done the job the previous four years.[11]
The main WWI plaque was installed on the rotunda at the official function in the Memorial Park on ANZAC Day 1929.
There was, for a time, some difficulty with the cost of this part of the work, and debate as to whether the council should pay for it. The Gulgong Advertiser on 26 November 1918 provided the following article:
It has been suggested that the Gulgong Municipal Council having taken over the Memorial Band Rotunda should provide the Memorial Tablet to be erected on the building. The Progress Association undertook the task of erecting the tablet and guarantees to this effect were given to all persons who donated money towards the erection of the rotunda in the first instance. While it may appear that the council should complete the work, now that it is out of the control of the Progress Association, the suggestion is well-nigh impossible for the Council to carry out, as its finances are barely sufficient to enable it to look after the roads of the municipality and carry-on other services.
The tablet will cost between £150 and £200 and it is idle to hope that the council will ever be able to provide such a large amount for the work. In one sense the council is obliged to carry out the work, but it is impossible for that body to do anything in a big way. The matter of erecting the tablet should not be allowed to remain shelved for an indefinite period. The guarantee has been given to the parents that the names of their soldier sons shall appear on the tablet. Since this guarantee was given by members of the Progress Association many of the boys of those parents have made the supreme sacrifice and it is a reason which demands that something should be done towards providing the memorial tablet. Without the tablet the rotunda is incomplete and will remain so until the people give proof of their generosity by providing the money needed to carry out the work. Of late there has been one disappointing feature in regard to the rotunda itself, as it has not been used as much as it was hoped it would be. Our local bands have assisted at functions in Anzac Park on several occasions, but when the bands happened to take up a collection for themselves, they did not receive encouraging support. Possibly, this may be one of the causes responsible for the rotunda being infrequently used. The council may find means to support the bands and thus enable them to use the rotunda more frequently. Some time ago the council decided to call a meeting to discuss the question to call a meeting to discuss support for the bands—so far this has not taken place— if it takes place, it may be suggested that the Council subsidise the bands to give recitals in the park. The bands have rendered many public services during the Four Years War, they were unstinting in their services to various patriotic functions.
It was intended that the Rotunda Monument be devoted to the memory of all that served in World War I and should represent the whole district.
Today the rotunda commemorates those who served in World War One, World War Two, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
However, it was some years before the names were gathered and the plaques were made. In 1928, in the Mudgee Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald and in the Gulgong Advertiser, calls were made for the names of all locals who served in the war. It was noted in the SMH that £390 raised for the purpose of a local school of Arts was to be re-devoted to the tablet on the Rotunda.[12]
Source: Written by Barbara Hickson with reference to:
6 SMH 24 April 19187 Mudgee Guardian 22 July 19188 Mudgee Guardian 19 August 19189 Gulgong Advertiser 21 February 1928.10 Gulgong Advertiser 22 May 192811 Gulgong Advertiser 14 August 192812 SMH 28th August 1928.
1928 - SOLDIERS MEMORIALThe committee appointed to complete the Soldiers Memorial in Anzac Park, requires the names of all soldiers who have served in the war and who have come to reside in the Gulgong-Wyaldra district since repatriation. It is intended to add these names to the tablets to be erected on the beautiful memorial rotunda in Anzac Park. The work, which will be in bronze, with letters in polished brass faces, has been entrusted to Messrs Wunderlich, while Messrs Chubbs Australia Ltd is making the memorial gates. Will soldiers in the area mentioned send their names into Mr Arthur Croft, “Belambi” Gulgong at once.’
Source: Gulgong Advertiser - October 23rd 1928 and Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 5 Nov 1928 Page 25
1928 - SOLDIERS MEMORIALThe committee entrusted with the completion of the Gulgong – Wyaldra Soldier’s Memorial will close the list of names on November 17th. So far 250 names have been enrolled. The committee requests all persons residing in the area who served during the war to send their names to the secretary. All Gulgong boys, no matter where they enlisted are entitled to have their names on the honour roll.’
Source: Gulgong Advertiser - November 13th 1928
The list was subsequently closed, and the tablet made and erected. Sometime after, additional small plaques were arranged on the Wall of Remembrance as additional names came to hand.
Source: Barbara Gurney
The following photo depicts Gulgong school girls and is thought to represent part of an ANZAC Day ceremony. The crosses hanging from the top of their floral hoops would be the Red Cross symbol.
Red Cross event
Source: Barbara Gurney
Anzac marchers, year unknown
Front row: Trevor Martin, Ted Gibbons (piano accordion), Reg Wright and Jimmy Cross.
Inside the Dome
Source: Julie Rusten
Source: Julie Rusten
