Margaret McKinley, with references from Les Geelan’s “”Memories of Value, 1819-1986”
“The Lands Department exercised sound judgement when surveying and selling Crown land of North Colah in the 1880’s period. They set aside an area for a Recreation Ground and an adjoining block designated as a Water Reserve. These areas are now Galston Park and Sports Oval.
Early in the 1890’s a group of trustees was appointed to develop the Recreation Ground for public uses. An area of about two acres on the road frontage was cleared and levelled. Along the front a row of ornamental trees was planted and a circular graded bike track provided. An attractive weatherboard pavilion with stepped seating was built. The Trustees some of whom were John Waddell, Albert Thomas, Sam Geelan and Walter Hayes, worked hard to maintain and improve the Grounds. The spectator pavilion was burnt down by a bush fire in 1911, and was replaced, only to be demolished by a severe cyclone just after the Council had acquired the property from the Trustees. The Council reerected the building which lasted for many years
The Galston Annual Show of 1894 was staged in the newly completed Galston Recreation Ground, and from then annually until 1938. It was a very successful event, drawing such large attendances that it became the State’s leading citrus exhibition. Spacious pavilions were built, mostly by volunteer labour, to house the large number of show entries The main features were champion wood chopping events, bike races and horsemanship events.
Empire Day ( 24th May) Annual Sports were held here, including Maypole Dancing for the school children. Galston District Cricket Club was formed in August, 1896, and the Trustees laid a concrete pitch in the middle of the ground for them”
Hornsby Shire Council opened the heated swimming pool in October, 1969, and more recently added the skateboard rink, which has proved a great success. The covered area with seats and tables on the far side is used regularly for parties and gatherings. In 1994, the centenary of the park, trees were planted to commemorate some of the early settlers
The Cenotaph, erected in about 1920 to commemorate 60 local men who went to WW1, is in the north-east corner of the park. A cottage was built in about 1946 for the caretaker of the Recreation grounds and Sports field and his family. Mr. and Mrs Blaxland and their children were the first occupants. Mrs Blaxland served “afternoon teas” and was famous for her scones. Later others ran “The Galston Tea Rooms” until the Dural Historical Society, under the leadership of June Roughley, took over the lease. “History Cottage” is open for your enquiries on Wednesdays, from 1pm to 4pm and on Sundays, 10am to 4pm. The first monthly meeting for this year will be held on Sat. 11th February, at 2pm.
