1900
Victoria park, Gulgong is a nicely situated little recreation reserve. It has been cleared, fenced and planted with ornamental trees and contains a ring [in which tennis, football and cricket is played and sheep depastured] and a pavilion. The latter is mostly inhabited by swagmen and is in a most filthy and disreputable condition.
On Sunday the pavilion is mostly used for gaffing and gambling; and sometimes when anything extra is on it resembles a prize-ring, a school for scandal and a cursing and foul language institution all hammered into one. I have heard foul language in various parts and can express a good ‘cuss’ or two myself when occasion demands; but for filthy obscenity and profanity will back Victoria Park pavilion on a Sabbath afternoon against anything in Australia.
I have said before that the pavilion was somewhat disreputable looking. So it is. Every vestige of glass has been smashed in the windows and the lock on the doors are broken. Likewise, the place is often used as a w.c. Will the Park trustees attend to this matter and will the police assist them?
Source: Gulgong Advertiser, February 2 1900
Last week some party broke into the room of the Victoria Park pavilion and made wreckage of the cricketing implements. After scattering this property over the room and verandah, he emptied the tank and smashed the lock and threw it away. A swagman who was camping outside the fence, described the marauder and states that entry was forced with a crowbar. The description given of the offender is so straightforward that he may be brought to justice.
Source: Gulgong Advertiser, May 18 1900.JPG)
Victoria Park Pavillion, viewed from Gulgong Showground
Source: VO, 10 August 2022
.JPG)
Boys' facilities near Victoria Park
Source: VO, 10 August 2022
Source: VO, 10 August 2022
