In 1971 the Rotary Club of Goulburn began an affiliation with the park area at Marsden Weir.
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In the Rotary Club year, 1971 to 72, President Bill Thwaite and the members of the Club had several projects that year. One project was to have a continuous link to the Club.
The Community Service Committee under the Directorship of Frank Gulson commenced work on the Marsden Weir Project.
The committee consists of Jim Clifton, Bill Edwards, Harry Gillett, Max Hay, Ken Hope, David Klem, Ray Leeson, John McNiven, Alick Obst, Jack Pollard, Jim Saunders, Edgar Southwell, Eric Southwell, Don Stewart, Bob Woodruff, George Wyles.
The project included planting and maintaining 18 ornamental trees, erecting a car, vandal proof fencing, constructing and erecting three sets of picnic tables, pouring a concrete pad, constructing a double-sided barbeque and fuel storage bin and constructing an of garbage disposal bins.
Frank and the Committee expended $308 on materials and many hours of hard work.
From 1990 to 1991, community service director Ross Durrant organised an upgrade of "Rotary Park" at Marsden Weir.
This included planting 20 trees and shrubs to commemorate Arbour Day, beautifying the area over a three-year period and updating the existing picnic facilities by installing electrical BBQs.
The club donated $1500 towards the upgrade.
From 1996 to 1997, community service director John Craig, organised the installation of playground equipment in the "Rotary Park" which included the ship.
The funding for this upgrade was $15,000 which was reimbursed to the Goulburn Mulwaree Council over two to three years.
From 2000 to 2001, community service director Jock Robertson organised placing timber bollards and replacing fencing around the play centre.
The addition of a swing set saw the completion of the northern end of the "Rotary Park".
In 2015, council replaced the aged play equipment, particularly, the ship.
In 2019, rotarian Carol James reported to the club that the estimated cost of the rotunda for the Marsden Weir Rotary Park was $32,000.
This quote was to be confirmed through council.
Council was also considering the club request that they contribute a concrete base for the structure, estimated at $10,000.
On the question of inserting a Rotary symbol in the concrete base, president Bruce Hammond reported he was seeking advice from a Goulburn stone mason as to the preparation of an engraved stone insert into the concrete base.
The current rotunda was constructed by Robbie Hughes and council in 2019 with the Rotary Wheel being placed in the centre by stone mason John Greaves from Greaves Memorials and Stone Masonry.
In 2020, president Bruce Hammond welcomed all rotarians to the commencement of a new calendar year and to celebrate the completion of the rotunda project.
He also welcomed our club guests, Daniel Strickland, Robbie Hughes and family, outbound youth exchange Jaseta Sullivan and her mother Aleta.
Later that year, members of the club met along with representatives of the Colless family at the rotunda in the picnic area at Marsden Weir.
The occasion was arranged by the club to unveil a plaque, affixed within the rotunda, dedicated to George and Daphne Colless.
George was a rotarian for thirty-nine years. They sadly passed away the previous year.
An application to formally name the park Rotary Park was submitted to the council.
The application was supported by council and was passed onto the Geographical Names Board.
A geographical location was required to be added to the name proposal, so the name "Goulburn Rotary Park" was proposed.
Approval was given by the Geographical Names Board of NSW in November.
This year, in conjunction with council, a design for the new sign was selected, manufactured and is now in position proudly displaying Goulburn Rotary Park, fifty years in the making.
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