The council has committed to a redesign or relocation of a Japanese garden in Victoria Park

Goulburn Mulwaree Council recently proposed a new Japanese garden around the duck pond at Victoria Park that would include features like a series of inter-connecting ponds, gentle waterfalls, maple trees, cherry blossoms, pathways and a gazebo.

But it did not take into account a plinth (large rock) with an inscription and a memorial bench that were already in the same spot.

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The objects were installed in 2007 in memory of "the forgotten Australians" placed in care in Goulburn's four orphanages between 1864 and 1982.

Former Gill Memorial Boys Home resident Jim Luthy (OAM) said he had been contacted by many who were angry the council had proposed the garden for the memorial's site.

"I was contacted by a number of Goulburn residents who were exceptionally disturbed, angered, upset and quite distraught that this was going to occur," Mr Luthy said.

"I was also disturbed it had not been checked, as these things just did not appear in the park out of thin air."

Mr Luthy made representations to the council in 2006 to place the items there, with the help of a Commonwealth grant, Work for the Dole participants and a group of four siblings who had spent time in care in Goulburn as children.

In October, 2007, the memorial park was opened by then Goulburn Mulwaree mayor Paul Stephenson, federal member for Hume Alby Schultz and Mr Luthy.

Mr Luthy said over 50,000 children lived all or part of their childhood in care in Goulburn.

The four orphanages operating here were: the Gill Memorial Boys Home, St Saviour's Children's Home, St Joseph's Girls Orphanage and St John's Boys Home.

"This is an important part of Goulburn's history and I believe the city had begun to fully recognise with pride the impact that those thousands who lived there have had," he said.

"This is an important part of Goulburn's history and you can't just ignore it and pretend it did not happen."

He said after he initially contacted the council about it, Mayor Bob Kirk had called him and was apologetic about the oversight.

Cr Kirk told The Goulburn Post the council wanted to reassure the community that the memorials in Victoria Park would be preserved and protected.

"Initial design work for the Shibetsu Garden had not factored in the Memorial for Orphans, but after being brought to the attention of Council the design will be revisited to ensure it is retained appropriately," he said.

"I'd like to thank Mr Luthy, who was instrumental in the establishment of the memorial and who raised this matter with me recently. We certainly appreciate the significance of this Memorial for Orphans, and its importance to many members of our community.

"Following our further discussions, all elements of the garden will be retained, and either incorporated within the Shibetsu Garden or placed in a new prominent spot within Victoria Park.

"The Memorial recognises orphanages as an important part of Goulburn's history."

Mr Luthy has organised regular reunions for the Gill Memorial Boys Home and has given evidence to various inquiries.

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