RALLY TO SAVE AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST PUBLIC SQUARE DECLARED A HUGE SUCCESS.
Sunday 3 June 2012
Hundreds of people braved wet conditions to attend a rally at Thompson Square in Windsor today.
Despite forecasts of rain the rally was declared a huge success by organiser, Pete Reynolds, who said that it was a tribute to the Square itself that so many people turned out under such uncomfortable conditions.
Despite squalls of rain listeners stood for over an hour to hear Green Bans legend, Jack Mundey speak along with Opposition Leader, John Robertson and the Member for Riverstone, Kevin Conolly.
Mr Robertson told the rally that Labor would do everything in its power to help the people of Windsor save Thompson Square.
Local member, Kevin Connolly’s efforts to sooth concerns were greeted with disbelief and were certainly not the answer the crowd was looking for.
CAWB Chairman, Dail Miller said “This is not just a local issue, it is not just a State issue, it is an issue of National significance because in a country that has only 224 years of European settlement we can trace those roots right back to here and that is worth preserving for a whole nation.”
Local businesswoman, Sue Wingate spoke on behalf of local business people saying that the majority of local business people had signed the CAWB petition.
Highlights of the meeting included a cameo performance by the local Town Crier Peter Stephens and an inspiring speech by local student, Natalie Buckett.
Natalie commenced with a timely reminder for our politicians, quoting CS Lewis: “We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Rally organiser, Pete Reynolds likened the concreting of a major arterial road through the square to building a modern maximum security prison amongst the ruins of Port Arthur: both would defile and desecrate heritage precincts...and Thompson Square significantly predates Port Arthur.
The Rally concluded with a short audience with the Governor himself, Lachlan Macquarie, accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth. The Governor re-proclaimed the Square for the people of NSW and noted that he was dismayed by the current Government’s planned destruction of his legacy.
Over 300 new signatures were added to the CAWB petition to State Parliament.
Media Contact: Kate Mackaness (0414-967900)
CAWB Media Release – Post Rally: 3 JUNE 2012 1
Sunday 3 June 2012
Hundreds of people braved wet conditions to attend a rally at Thompson Square in Windsor today.
Despite forecasts of rain the rally was declared a huge success by organiser, Pete Reynolds, who said that it was a tribute to the Square itself that so many people turned out under such uncomfortable conditions.
Despite squalls of rain listeners stood for over an hour to hear Green Bans legend, Jack Mundey speak along with Opposition Leader, John Robertson and the Member for Riverstone, Kevin Conolly.
Mr Robertson told the rally that Labor would do everything in its power to help the people of Windsor save Thompson Square.
Local member, Kevin Connolly’s efforts to sooth concerns were greeted with disbelief and were certainly not the answer the crowd was looking for.
CAWB Chairman, Dail Miller said “This is not just a local issue, it is not just a State issue, it is an issue of National significance because in a country that has only 224 years of European settlement we can trace those roots right back to here and that is worth preserving for a whole nation.”
Local businesswoman, Sue Wingate spoke on behalf of local business people saying that the majority of local business people had signed the CAWB petition.
Highlights of the meeting included a cameo performance by the local Town Crier Peter Stephens and an inspiring speech by local student, Natalie Buckett.
Natalie commenced with a timely reminder for our politicians, quoting CS Lewis: “We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Rally organiser, Pete Reynolds likened the concreting of a major arterial road through the square to building a modern maximum security prison amongst the ruins of Port Arthur: both would defile and desecrate heritage precincts...and Thompson Square significantly predates Port Arthur.
The Rally concluded with a short audience with the Governor himself, Lachlan Macquarie, accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth. The Governor re-proclaimed the Square for the people of NSW and noted that he was dismayed by the current Government’s planned destruction of his legacy.
Over 300 new signatures were added to the CAWB petition to State Parliament.
Media Contact: Kate Mackaness (0414-967900)
CAWB Media Release – Post Rally: 3 JUNE 2012 1
