PAM'S PAGE

THE GLENBROOK PARK

When the village of Glenbrook was first surveyed in 1884, the Park was reserved for “recreation purposes” and extended from Green St to Raymond Rd. In 1892 the Public School was built in the NE corner facing Green St. The first School of Arts was erected nearby, so this section of the park was used for community activities. In 1903 the School was moved to what is now Ross St. in the NE corner facing. It was only after the School od Arts was burnt down, 1923, that this area reverted to parkland as it is today.

The 2nd School of Arts was built in 1927 on the corner of Ross St & Hamment Pl., and it still stands in the same place today. The building consisted of a large hall with a wonderful dance floor, a stage with a small kitchen on E. side and dressingroom on W. side. At the front on E. side was a small meeting room and on W. side was a small library room. The building was used as a cinema and community activities conjointly, until additions were made and the building became the cinama as you see it today, an annexe was added for other purposes. Plaques had been placed on the front wall and the stones were relaid on the front additions. One plaque was from the original 1903 building and was laid by Mr Colin Smith 21 August 1909 and another laid by Mrs W.H.Williams on 24 September 1927. 2nd SCHOOL of ARTS

A pair of sandstone pillars facing Hamment PL. held a pair of wrought iron gates and were built by John Colquhoun Dunn a distinguished stonemason who lived in “Bonnie Doone” Moore St. I can also rember pillars and gates at the Park St entrance. Four tennis courts were established in the SW corner of the Park and are still in use today. The open area of the park was used for general sports, and cricket & football are still played today. I can remember great excitement in the 1940's when the circus came to rown and set up in the park. What excitement to be walking down Lucasville Rd. on the way to school seeing the elephants chained to the big trees, how wonderful to be able to see these huge animals up so close.

For over a centuary the park has been a strong focal point for the cultural & active life in the village. It is still used today for the same reasons. The Glenbrook Village Festival in November in it's 32nd year. , the Rotary Australia Day celebrations 20 yrs , & carols by candlelight, just to name a few.

EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS 1952

Tom Verbeek

2001-05-07T17:11:04