AGY-5006 | Waratah Park Trust

Full description

The nominated Trustees of the Waratah Park Trust held their first, unofficial, meeting on 9 May 1965. The Trust's first official meeting was held on 22 November 1965. The Trustees appointed were Messrs. Frank Hector Stone (Honorary Secretary and Treasurer), George Henry Beswick, Charles MacIntosh Taylor (Chairman), Charles Pax Lindsay, Beresford Bede Boughton and Ronald Henry Grewcoe. (1) Mr Stone was required by law to stand down when he reached the age of 70 year on 11 January 1967. The Trust then appointed him Honorary Life Curator and re-appointed him as Honorary Secretary. (2)

Waratah Park, which comprised 114 acres 3 roods and 12 1/4 perches at Bilpin, was land gifted to the State by previous owner Mr Frank Hector Stone of Collaroy. Mr Stone purchased the land in 1958 with the intention of planting an orchard. However, upon observing the numerous species of waratah and other native plants he opted instead to concentrate on the propogation of native plants. The land was gazetted for public recreation and preservation of native flora and fauna as Reserve No.85,491 in the Land District of Windsor and Shire of Colo, Parish Bilpin, County Cook. (3)

Due to financial and other considerations, a proposal to amalgamate Waratah Park and its Trust with the Blue Mountains National Park and Trust was raised and explored from August 1966. In its Minutes dated 27 January 1968 the Trustees submitted their resignations to be effective 30 April 1968 and resolved that the resignations be forwarded to the Under Secretary of Lands. (4)

The Trust held is final meeting on 28 April 1968 at the Bilpin home of Mr F. Stone. Control and maintenance of Waratah Park was passed to Blue Mountains National Park Trust. (5)

Endnotes
(1) NSW Government Gazette (No.134), 15 October 1965, p.3389; ibid., p.3420; NRS 10762, Minute book, 1965-1968 [12/1600.5 p.14].
(2) NRS 10762, p.37.
(3) NSW Government Gazette (No.134), 15 October 1965, pp.3420-3421.
(4) NRS 10762, p.58.
(5) ibid., p.63.