The great new is that, after working with Hornsby Shire Council planners, the Heritage Fence construction will commence in the next few months, hoping to complete by ANZAC DAY 2025 or soon after.
For this we have to thank our many contributors;
Thank you Bendigo Bank – our wonderful Community Bank at Galston has contributed $50,000. Initial start-up funds of $50,000 from State Government and the Whiteman Trust.
Then $31,000 from local donors such as HCM Building, P F Formations, Dixon Sand, Rotary Club of Greater Hills, significant donations from Shore, Nicholson & Holt families plus donations from many community members too numerous to name. And of course, selling the pavers but that is another story… (now is the time to purchase!)
Now we are pledged $5000 to remember Ray, from The Hills Shire Council and following is an excerpt from the Mayoral minute by Dr Michelle Byrne:
Some of you will remember Ray Whiteman, a stalwart Glenorie resident who cared deeply for his community. You might also be familiar with Glenorie Progress Association’s Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence project, in memory of the incredible contributions Ray made to the Glenorie community.
Ray moved to Glenorie with his family in 1943 when he was ten years old. He attended Glenorie Public School, Parramatta Junior School and Granville High School. He pursued a career as an electrician apprenticed at 15 then started his own business as an electrician in Glenorie in 1956.
Ray loved music and played the organ at church every Sunday. When he was 17, he chose the Navy to complete his national service time that was required during the Korean War.
At 20, Ray founded Glenorie Scouts, applying for a grant for eight acres of land to build a scout hall, which officially opened in 1957. As Scout Master, the boys knew him as ‘Skip’ and he taught them essential skills of map reading, tying knots and pitching a tent. He combined his love of the sea by organising the first Sea Scout Group from Glenorie and taught the boys to sail as well.
Over the years, Ray affectionately became known as the ‘Mayor of Glenorie’ for his dedication to his community. As well as the Scouts, Ray served as the Chair of Glenorie Progress Association, Vice President of Glenorie RSL Subbranch, President of Eastbend Rural Communications, which produces the Living Heritage magazine.
He was also a Justice of the Peace, a member of the Glenorie Maroota Bioregional Forum, the Maroota Forest Conservation Committee, Hills Community Aid, and Glenorie Probus Association. As President of the Glenorie Memorial Hall Committee, Ray devoted many hours to maintaining and improving the Hall, including hand-painting the military emblems on the glass windows and putting together a photo display
He was the 2003 Baulkham Hills Shire Council Citizen of the Year. He passed away in August 2019 at the age of 86. Over 300 people commemorated his life at the Glenorie Mission Church – a testament to his standing in Glenorie.
After his passing, the Glenorie Progress Association organised a project to raise funds for a memorial fence named after Ray to protect the Glenorie War Memorial.
The RWH Fence plans consist of 14 carved sandstone piers. See plan attached. The first completed in 2020 is dedicated to Ray for his contributions to Glenorie with a quote from Coretta Scott King: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
Five piers have been completed including three military piers carved with the Royal Australian Navy, Air Force and Merchant Navy emblems. An Australian Army pier will complete the southern entrance of the Memorial Hall precinct, recognising the sacrifices of local veterans.
The remaining piers depict Glenorie’s heritage, including the First Nations people, the convict-built Old Northern Road, Glenorie Bus Co., fruit growing, flora and fauna of the area, volunteering in sport, fires, floods and Scouts.
The Fence which represents Ray’s time with the Navy and Scouts, will also serve to protect the cenotaph where Ray organised the ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies and the Glenorie Memorial Hall precinct, which he tended to so diligently. Ray would be pleased and honoured to know that his legacy and the history of Glenorie will be recorded in beautiful sandstone of the area for future generations to see.
