Pioneer Park
This plaque is located opposite the entrance to Pioneer Park, 43 Grayland St.
Cobden Pioneer Park was first established on the racecourse reserve in May 1998.
Its motto has always been: ‘Preserving the Past for the Future’.
The park was the brainchild of Dennis Walsh and Keith van Leerdam after observing vintage machinery going to metal recyclers and the tip.
Apart from Dennis and Keith, major volunteers in the earlier years were Jim Simper, George Millard, Jim Dawe and Allan McGlade while Neil and Darren Gass have provided much-needed grunt in more recent times. Heather Walsh, Sue Ralph and Betty Millard have also been Pioneer Park stalwarts.
The park boasts a collection of older buildings – stables, school-rooms, goods sheds and barns – housing many gems of the past. Thousands of voluntary hours have gone into the restoration of these buildings as well as the farming implements and machinery inside them.
Within Buncles’ Barn is a collection of 30 horse-drawn wagons, buggies and jinkers built in the 19th century and restored by local man, Harold Lamb. One of them is the original wagon from which Fletcher Jones sold his clothing. The barn has also been used for weddings and other social functions.
In the old Cobden railway goods shed is the Cobden and District Cooperative Cheese and Butter Factory ledger showing that some dairy farmers in the 1950s were earning just a few pounds a month.
Timber for the construction of buildings was donated by Buncles and milled by Jack and Alice Eaton assisted by Bob Foran. Authentic buildings have been moved to the site while others have been faithfully re-created to show how the pioneers of our district lived and earned their livelihood.
Cobden Pioneer Park is open to the public on the third Sunday of each month from 11am to 4pm. It is also available for hire for special events.
As a Progressing Cobden sub-committee, the park has always been an enthusiastic part of Cobden’s Spring Festivals – open to visitors on the Sunday of the annual event, for the viewing of exhibits and the enjoyment of entertainments like the pet parade (see below), the gum-boot throw, stalls and music.
With the passing of consistent project contributors over the years, any community members interested in joining us would be warmly welcomed. Come along and enjoy the convivial company.
The final word: Don’t throw anything old out – contact us first please – once it’s gone, it cannot be replaced. It is up to us to preserve our history in order to educate and entertain those who follow us.
