October 12, 2013
Proston’s railway – which was built in 1923 but removed in the early 1970s – will live on in a new form after the official unveiling of “Railway Park” in the town on Friday.
The revamped park is the result of extensive community consultations and more than $46,000 in contributions from the South Burnett Regional Council, Stanwell Corporation’s Tarong Community Partnership Fund, Smithfield Feedlot and 11 Proston community organisations, along with individuals and local businesses
A crowd of around 200, including South Burnett councillors, local school students and residents, Stanwell Corporation representatives and Proston Lions members – gathered next to the Proston Community Hall for the park’s official opening and a sausage sizzle.
They listened to a string of speakers and browsed a display of historic photographs showing the changes that have occurred in the park area over the past 100 years.
The ceremony was held under marquees near the old Proston railway station building.
It was opened by Proston State School Year 6 student Jade Mann, who performed a Welcome To Country.
Cr Kathy Duff then outlined the history of community consultations on the project and “the amazing response” these had drawn, before handing the microphone over to Stanwell representative Jenny Gregg who unveiled a plaque to mark the day.
Mayor Kratzmann said because the people of Proston had voted overwhelmingly in the most recent community consultation to rename the area “Railway Park”, the area would now have that name.
A sign at the park’s entrance has now made that name official.
Margaret Westerman, from Proston Library, spoke about the history of the town and the park area, from Proston’s foundation in 1910 through to the present day.
Les Blanch, from the Proston Lions Club, spoke about the Lions Club’s involvement in “this remarkable project” and thanked all the other individuals, organisations and local businesses that had also contributed towards it to make the dream a reality.
Students from Proston P-10 School moved votes of thanks to the speakers.
Future plans for Railway Park include the installation of an amphitheatre; additional lighting; a dump point to attract caravanners to stay in the area; an expansion of the park’s skateboarding facilities; and additional landscaping.
No deadline has been set for Stage 2, which will depend on the availability of council funds.
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