Did you know that, over 51 years ago, at a time when the political slogan “It’s Time” was popular with some (back in 1972), our city celebrated with a unique carnival in the creeklands? (For those who don’t remember this slogan, you can read about it here).
Our association continues to be hopeful of making more progress towards our aim:
“To assist in the careful planning, design and development of beautiful, healthy and safe public spaces featuring wetlands, lagoons and billabongs, connected by flowing water along the Armidale Creeklands”.
The stories in this edition of the Armidale Express from 1972 inspire us to keep going!
“Creeklands really captured the imagination of our citizens.
I have never been associated with such an exciting project ”
“Who among us would not want a more beautiful Armidale, with the long-term benefits of more parkland and recreation areas”
“You have started something that deserves the highest commendation”
You can read the articles on this front page and those on subsequent pages by scrolling down to find those which interest you (all of the text has been extracted into readable text boxes).
If looking at the water in the picture makes you wonder about some water sports in the creeklands, check out the winning rowing teams in the Creeklands Carnival Results (see below)!
Front Page of Armidale Express - May 1, 1972
The caption for the photo of the creeklands above reads: A wide expanse of water, many hundreds of people along the tree-lined banks and a boat race in progress - this new angle on Dumaresq Creek was graphically captured by an Express photographer on Saturday. The boating events, called bathtub races, were among the most popular at the creeklands carnival.
EDITORIAL Monday, May 1, 1972
“What a day!
ARMIDALE'S recent history would record no more successful community effort than that on Saturday.
This was possible, first of all, because the cause was popular. Who among us would not want a more beautiful Armidale, with the long-term benefits of more parkland and recreation areas, and all the money spent at the carnival was towards this end.
In the carnival site could be seen something of how the creeklands can be developed and the creek itself, with its brimming waters a far cry from the smelly scum we have endured for so long, showed how even it could be transformed.
Another ingredient for success was that the program provided opportunity for citizens of all ages to take part. In the walkathon were people from two years to 73, and the carnival events, too, provided outlets for the energy and enthusiasm of the young and not so young.
Such carnivals, no matter how well planned, depend very largely on crowd participation, and it was good to see so much of this on Saturday.
Some of the events, such as the dryland boat races, were new to Armidale but the impressive thing about them was the enthusiasm of the necessarily untrained crews.
The vintage cars, the sailing boats, the art display, the archery demonstration and the Argentine-style barbecue all helped to add that extra interest that made the program something more than just fun and fundraising.
Behind the day, of course, were weeks of voluntary work and much first-class organising ability. But the people giving so generously of their time and skills in this way had their reward in the total community response and cooperation. Not their least achievement was the selection of such good weather, but they deserved this assistance, too”.
MAYOR THANKS MINISTER, DEPARTMENT OF LANDS FOR INTEREST IN CREEKLANDS
The creeklands scheme reached finality with the success of Saturday's carnival, the Mayor (Ald. J. W. Failes) said.
"It gives me a great thrill to officially announce this," he told hundreds of carnival patrons at Harris Park.
"Creeklands really captured the imagination of our citizens.
"I have never been associated with such an exciting project," he said.
Ald. Failes said thanks should be given to many people - "the beautification committee, the public meeting which started it, you many generous donors over the three years.
“And special commendation to the drive, enthusiasm and work of Ald. Paul Johnstone”.
Greatest supporter
He said the greatest supporter of the scheme had been the Department of Lands.
“It's a great thrill to have Mr. Lewis (Minister for Lands) here to open the carnival and I would like to pay tribute to his support.
“It's unique that the department should give such support”, he said.
Welcome to Ministers
Ald. Failes welcomed Mr. Lewis, and the Minister for Public Works and Member for Armidale Mr. Davis Hughes.
He said Mr. Hughes had opened the appeal “on a cool afternoon, three years ago and it's a great pleasure to have him here to see this come to fruition”.
Mr. Hughes said, “it's great to see so many people here.
“It shows that Armidale has really supported the appeal tremendously”.
He said Mr. Lewis had taken a very close personal interest in the scheme from its inception.
“It is very appropriate that he is here as our honoured guest. Thank you for your contribution”.
The two MPs arrived at the carnival in vintage cars and met Walkathon participants, including the mayor, before the opening ceremony.
CREEKLANDS WALKATHON, WITH 341 ENTRANTS, RAISES $6400
In all 341 took part in Saturday's walkathon and they were sponsored for amounts totalling more than $3,200.
This means that, with Government subsidy, the event will bring in more than $6,400 for creekland funds.
The oldest walker to finish was Mrs. Peters, 73. The youngest was Stephen Robinson, 5.
The adult walker to raise the most was Mr. Rologas, with $260.70.
The schoolgirl to raise the most was Cathy Mann with $70, and the schoolboy to raise the most was David Farrell with $27.
The team that raised the most money was the Third Armidale Cub Pack with more than $100.
Times
First to finish was Bill Johnstone, an Armidale High School teacher. He left at 8 am and was in at 10:15.
The same time was recorded by Dr. Dick Passey, who left at 8:05 and finished at 10.20.
These contestants could have either walked or ran or both, but Dick Keam, a state class walker of UNE, did walk all the way and his times were: start 8.20, finish 10.32.
The first school pupil to finish was Andrew Beattie, of Ben Venue, starting at 8, he finished at 10.53.
St Ursula's girls were the first team to finish. They were Janet Chant, Kerry Farrell, Sandra McShane and Debbie Austin.
Among creeklands committee members to complete the walk were Bob Lewis, soccer association president, who mapped out the course, Jeanette Slade, women's hockey association representative who did much promotion work, the mayor (Ald. Failes), co-chairman of committee Paul Johnstone, Roy Smith and Jim Reid.
Interesting
Walkers found the route well sign-posted and interesting. The morning mists were lifting as the early starters topped the heights at North Armidale and they found themselves admiring both the distant views and the nearby homes. As the walk progressed along less frequented roads, these first impressions of the city's beautiful setting and the many new and comfortable homes on its outskirts were reinforced - no sign of either smog or slum here - and perhaps the walkers had time to reflect on the advantages of living in such a pleasant environment. The thought that they were doing something to preserve and improve this environment would no doubt have lessened the impact of aching feet and made the whole effort well worthwhile.
MINISTER TELLS HOW OTHERS FOLLOW CITY'S BEAUTIFICATION PLANS
Armidale has given a unique lead to N.S.W. towns through its Creeklands scheme, the Minister for Lands (Mr. Tom Lewis) said on Saturday.
Other towns were now copying Armidale's example and were “buying back mistakes of the past” in joint ventures with the department, he said.
Mr. Lewis was officially opening Saturday's carnival at Harris Park.
He said “In 1968, the year of Creeklands Inception, no other similar scheme existed in New South Wales.
“But a year ago, Camden copied Armidale in a joint plan with the department for the beautification of the Nepean river.
“Have started something”
“You have started something that deserves the highest commendation”.
Mr. Lewis said the department had contributed $38,000 to the Creeklands project and 35 acres costing $25,000 still had to be acquired.
“I am delighted that the venture has worked out.
“It is often necessary to buy back mistakes of the past, and Armidale has done this in magnificent fashion.
“Improve wherever possible”
“I hope you will continue to feel that it is worthwhile to improve wherever possible so that we can say “we have a magnificent country”.
Mr. Lewis said 700 acres a day during the last seven years had been put aside for preservation in New South Wales.
And between $400,000 and $500,000 had been spent each year to give additional recreational space in the state.
“That's a pretty good record,” he said.
But one of the department’s big problems was “the fact that we still have a minority who want to vandalise”.
“So I hope everyone will ensure that our youth starts improving and not destroying.
“I am delighted to declare the carnival open”.
Mr. Lewis also presented prizes to bathtub derby winners.
Creeklands Carnival results
Results of events at the Creeklands Carnival on Saturday afternoon:
New England Bathtub Championship - Senior division: E - coli (Ken Johnson and Jack Prosser) 1, Ring of Confidence (D. Hewitt and B. Keogh) 2, Man's World (G. Maguire and G. Cochrane) 3. Most original, E - coli.
Junior division: M. Delangre 1, P. Delangre 2, B. Yates 3 Most original, D. Brown, G. Hawkins, L Channon.
Rowing events: Women's pairs: A. Frazier and L. Sauer 1, D. Makepeace and M. Grills 2, R. Frazier and A. Daley 3.
Junior pairs: St. Ursula’s 1 (K. Cree and R. Pearse) 1, J. Smith and R. Lockwood 2, St. Ursula's 2 (A. Daley and M. Grills) 3.
Junior fours: K. Cree, L. Pearse, K. Welsh, J. B. Yates 1, M. Northey, M. Edmunds, B. Dunne, P. Newley 2; P.A. Makepeace, T. Watts, R. Newley 3.
Academic fours: P.L.C. 1, U.N.E Natural Resources 2, De La Salle 3.
Junior Head of Creek: Demonstration I, 1, Ben Venue 2, St. Mary’s 3.
Senior Head of Creek: Armidale High School 1, P.L.C. 2, St. Ursula's 3.
Open eight or championship: P.L.C. 1, Armidale High School 2, St. Ursula's and De La Salle 3.
Service Clubs eights: Lions 1, N. Armidale Rotary 2, Armidale Rotary 3.
Dumaresq Derby: J. Rayner 1, G. Cunnynghame 2, D. Blair 3.
Oldest competitor, J. Reid.
Youngest, M. Riordan, first schoolboy R. Gates.
100 yards backwards race: Ray Marshall, 16.5 sec.
Father, and son race: Laurie and Ray Marshall.
Mother and daughter race: Joan and Susan Gates.
Our thanks
History is a wonderful teacher! Our special thanks go to Dr John Atchison OAM, local historian and educator, for bringing our attention to this edition of the Armidale Express. And to Dr John Harris who first told us of his memory of a fabulous ‘regatta’ in the creeklands - way back when!
Postscript
In their first podcast ‘Ramble On’ by current Mayor Sam Coupland and GM James Roncon, Sam expressed his support for improvements to the creeklands - we reckon that was great to hear! We reckon “It’s time”!
You can check out this first podcast here.
