The idea of erecting the Memorial Gates and Playground was first conceived in February 1950.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Two fundraising gymkhanas were held raising 2000 pounds, a further 500 pounds was donated by Whitton citizens, with Carrathool Shire donating 250 pounds, and a government subsidy of 250 pounds had been received.
The gates were designed by Mr J Currie, assistant engineer of the Carrathool Shire.
The steel work was carried out by Cyclone Works and the brickwork was done by Mr Jack Tucker, of Leeton.
Mr Trennery, of Griffith, made and inscribed the tablets, while the Carrathool Shire did the concrete footpaths and provided the flagpole.
The playground equipment included swings, giant slides, merry-go-round and gymnastic outfit.
Sunday, November 11, 1951 was the official Dedication and Opening ceremony.
It was a huge affair, with representatives from four shires attending, along with the Leeton District Band, RSL Sub-Branch, Red Cross members and a Reverend from both Leeton and Griffith.
The Junior Red Cross Girls were selling Red Poppies of Remembrance.
An ANZAC Memorial service was held along with several speeches, before the official opening of the playground.
The women of Whitton then put on an impressive afternoon tea in The Whitton School of Arts.
All of these proceedings were filmed by Mr J McAuliffe, of Leeton, who also took films of the Easter Monday Gymkhana and Procession.
He announced that the completed film would be given to the people of Whitton to be handed down for prosperity.
See the full story that appeared in the Murrumbidgee Irrigator on Tuesday, November 13, 1951 on the Whitton Courthouse & Historical Museum Facebook page.