Lanterns will help tell the history of a landmark Raymond Terrace park in November, all the way back to the Boer War.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Port Stephens Council launched Illuminate Boomerang Park on Thursday with some of the lanterns people will see on November 18.
Among them will be a large lantern in the shape of a horse, which pays homage to Boomerang Park being training grounds for the Australian Light Horse headed to the Boer War.
“One of the things we’re interested in doing through Illuminate Boomerang Park is uncovering some of the history,” the council's integrated strategic planning manager Penny Amberg said at the launch.
“What we’ve created is a lantern festival but it will only be a be a lantern festival if the community builds it.”
Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed has taken up the cause with the lantern sculpture of the light horse.
Men’s Shed member and Seaham resident Stuart Morris put his welding skills to the test with the sculpture.
“I’m not an artist, well perhaps a bulls**t artist,” the retired fitter-turner said.
“It probably took me a week to do. I’m learning a bit more about the park as I go along, particularly talking to the different members, some of them with memories of swimming in the dam at the park when they were children.”
The horse lantern wasn’t quite complete in time for the launch since the LED lights didn’t arrive in time. Once they’re installed Mr Morris said the sculpture will be papered over.
“I’m looking forward to seeing it all covered and lit up,” he said.
“I don’t look at it being this major part of telling the park’s story. I’ve only got one part to play in this and if I’m happy with the lantern when it’s finished, that’s all that matters to me.”
Another community organisations that have agreed to make a large lantern is the Raymond Terrace RSL Sub Branch.
“Our aim is to produce a large, military themed lantern for Illuminate,” Sub Branch president Vic Jones said.
“A lot of long standing members and their family members have a long association with Boomerang Park.
“Our military association with the park goes back 100 years to the Boer War but it was used as recently as World War II for plane-light searches.”
The launch event took place at the Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed and included sponsors The Greater Bank and McDonald Jones Homes.
“While the community has devoted many hours to make Illuminate happen it would not be possible without their cold, hard cash contribution,” Ms Amberg said.
Illuminate Boomerang Park will be held on Saturday, November 18, from 4pm to 9pm.
It will include the lantern display and parade, a sound and light display, ‘Ollie-uminate’ night time skateboarding, circus activities and will close with a fireworks display.
Council responds to ‘political’ concerns
Port Stephens Council has defended its decision to hold the Illuminate launch a week out from the council elections amid concern it could influence the way people vote.
The council, in care-taker mode, said it organised the launch to promote the community organisations involved, not the councillors, as claimed.
Medowie resident John Donahoo said it had been poorly timed.
“Why have an event with two days notice at a [Men’s Shed] development that was contentious, potentially for the benefit of a couple of councillors?” he said.
“It gave the councillors there the opportunity to walk around and influence the way people vote. It’s inappropriate for council to do this in care taker mode.”
The council refuted those claims in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“Illuminate Boomerang Park is a grassroots community event and has no political affiliation or motivation. Sitting councilors were invited to attend the launch but were not invited to speak publicly for this reason. Rather, it was an opportunity for our sponsors and community groups to get together and discuss what will be a great family-friendly event for Raymond Terrace in November, the date for which has been set since April this year.”