Tichborne Trial

Born to a wealthy family in Hampshire in 1829, Roger Charles Tichborne was the son of Sir James and Lady Henrietta Felicite Seymour Tichborne.  After spending most of his youth in France and several years at a Jesuit boarding school, he served in the army 1849-52, then left for a world tour.  His ship was presumed lost in 1854, and eventually all on board were declared dead. 

His mother never gave up hope of his return and after she placed advertisements in Australian newspapers in 1865, was informed that her son had been alive all this time.  She arranged for his return, and although most other family members were convinced he was an impostor, she and a number of other individuals believed his story. 

In 1868 an issue was directed to be tried in the Court of Common Pleas as to whether the claimant was the heir of Sir James, who had died in 1862.  He brought an ejectment action against the Tichborne trustees before a judge and special jury.  The trial lasted 102 days (May 1871-March 1872), and the claimant was cross examined for 22 days by the Solicitor General, Sir John Coleridge.  A large number of witnesses swore to his identity, but the final cross-examination proved that he was ignorant of many facts which Sir Roger must have known, eg. How to speak French. 

The defence’s case rested on proving the existence and parallel travels of one Arthur Orton, a Wapping man who eventually wound up in Australia, and whose path may even have crossed that of Sir Roger's.  The jury found for the defendants.  After the trial Orton was arrested for perjury and tried at the Bar in 1873.  Even more witnesses were called this time, but on the 188th day the jury found that he was guilty, and he was sentenced to 14 years in prison.  He was released in 1884 and in 1895 published a signed confession. 

The case was a great source of class strife at the time of the trials, and even today some authors maintain that the government railroaded the claimant. For many years this (the two trials combined) was the longest trial in English history.

Victory Memorial Gardens

The Victory Memorial Gardens were originally established as a memorial to the men and women who served in World War I. The land was formerly the site of the Old Police Barracks, a brick building which faced Morrow Street and the police paddocks at the rear which were used to stable the police horses and their horse drawn vehicles.

After World War I money for a Memorial was raised by public subscription. A referendum held in 1919 decided in favour of a Memorial Hall and an honour roll. The Cenotaph listing the names of those who died as a result of the War was erected in 1922 at a cost of 800 pounds.

Only two thousand pounds remained for the construction of a hall and Council’s proposal to raise of loan of four thousand pounds was rejected in a referendum held in 1923. Some quite heated discussion followed about the form the Memorial should take with the Memorial Committee headed by E.E. Collins favouring an extension to the town hall and the R.S.S.I.L.A. headed by D.T. Byrnes preferring that the money be spent on Memorial Gardens. After Byrnes was elected the new Mayor, he presided at a public meeting held in the Wonderland Theatre in April 1925. It was resolved that the memorial should take the form of public gardens to be laid out on the “Reserve between Morrow Street and the Lagoon, between the two bridges on the South Wagga side taking in the present police paddock”. None of the Memorial Committee Executive including E.E. Collins had attended the meeting but Byrnes had threatened to obtain a short Act of Parliament if necessary to authorise the expenditure of money on the gardens! Fortunately by July the League and the memorial Committee had come to an amicable agreement to erect of a memorial as an imposing entrance to the proposed memorial garden. But the delays continued.

The Memorial Arch was eventually erected in 1926 at a cost of 1700 pounds but only after more controversy, this time over the site of the archway. After construction had begun, D.T. Byrnes of the Memorial Gardens Committee instituted court proceedings against the Mayor, now E.E. Collins, in June 1926 claiming that the archway should have been positioned diagonally across the corner of the intersection of Baylis and Morrow Streets so that the Cenotaph would have been framed in the background through the archway (this was settled out of court and the archway was erected on the site it stand today). The police buildings were then demolished and police headquarters moved to Little Gurwood Street – Tarcutta Street.

The design for the Memorial Gardens was chosen from a competition conducted by the council which was advertised in November 1927 locally and in Sydney and Melbourne. Twenty-two designs were entered and the winner, Thomas Kerr of Lakemba, New South Wales, was awarded the prize of one hundred pounds. The winning design has been framed and can be viewed at the Council Chambers.

Construction began on April 1928 using the funds raised by the Victory Memorial Gardens Committee. Council provided further finance to complete the project.

Cenotaph

The Cenotaph was built of Bowral trachyte with concrete cove on a trachyte base. The names of those who died in the 1914-18 War are carved on stone panels on the eastern and western sides of the Cenotaph. It was unveiled by Brigadier General Blamey on 17 September 1922. The names of the district servicemen who died in World War II are listed on the bronze panels on the southern and northern sides of the Cenotaph. These were unveiled on Anzac Day 1952 by J.W. Edmondson, father of Corporal J.H. Edmondson, the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War II (posthumously awarded) who spent part of his childhood in Wagga.

Memorial Archway

The Archway was built of sandstone on a trachyte base with polished trachyte panels bearing the names of the district servicemen and women who served in World War I. It was constructed by Messrs Aluselin Odling and Son of Sydney for about 1700 pounds.

World War II Memorial

This was built behind the Cenotaph at a cost of $60,000 using funds from the Wagga RSL sub-branch, Wagga Wagga City Council and donations. The semi-circular memorial contains the names of the World War II service men and women who enlisted from the Wagga Wagga District. The eternal flame was officially lit by the late Ted Drake, a World War I ex-serviceman in 1990, the 75th Anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli.

Korea and Vietnam Memorial

On 18 March 1991, immediately after the Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day March, the Vietnam section was unveiled by the Commandant of the 1RTB Kapooka, Colonel Gordon Hurfod and the Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Alderman Pat Brassil opened the honour roll of those of Wagga and District who served in Korea.

Jolly Swagman Statue

This was sculptured by Aurel Ragus and officially unveiled on 24 August 1978 by the Mayor, Alderman Bruce Hedditch.

Sir Thomas Blamey Plaque

Bronze plaque set on a concrete base west of the Cenotaph was planted by Lieutenant Phillip bennet on 24 January 1984 to commemorate the birth at Lake Albert, Wagga Wagga, of Sir Thomas Albert Blamey, Australian Military Forces 1906 – 1951.

Anzac Avenue

In 1938 an avenue of some 350 Lombardy poplar trees were planted along the northern footpath of Morrow Street and the southern alignment of the Memorial Gardens. This avenue was later titled Anzac Avenue.

RAAF Monument

This monument was erected on 30 June 1990 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the RAAF Base at Forest Hill which commenced operations on 1 July 1940, training pilots for World War II, Ansons, Beaufighters and Wirriways and repairing various aircraft including Ansons, Beaufighters, Beaforts, Boomerangs, Kittyhawks and Venturas.

Kapooka Monument

A 3” mortar monument commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Kapooka Military Area which commenced operations on 1 May 1942. The monument was erected by the City of Wagga Wagga to honour the service and opened on 23 April 1995.

Anchor, HMAS Wagga

Monument erected by the City of Wagga Wagga to honour the active service of HMAS Wagga Corvette J315 of the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. It was commissioned in December 1942 and served with distinction until November 1945 in the Coral Sea, New Guinea, South Pacific and Hong Kong. The Anchor was donated by the Port of Melbourne Authority. It was unveiled on 23 April 1995.

Garden of Peace Roses

This garden of peace roses was established to mark Wagga Wagg’s recognition of the International Year of Peace 1986. The peace rose was developed by Francis Meilland in France just prior to the outbreak of World War II. Bud wood from the rose was smuggled out of Nazi occupied France on the last clipper to America where it was produced in numbers to be generally released at the end of the war as a peace rose. At the first session of the United Nations each delegate received a peace rose bloom, a fitting symbol to express the hope for World Peace. The garden was officially opened by Ald Harris, Mayor of Wagga Wagga.

Sandakan Memorial

Erected by Sandakan Memorial Foundation to commemorate the 1800 members of the 8th Division AIF who dies at Sandakan and Ranau in North Borneo (now the Malaysian state of Sabah) and during the infamous “death marches” between the two prison camps 1942-45. This was the third cenotaph erected by the foundation.
It has a tomb like brick base and granite roof with a bronze replica of the route taken by the Australia POW’s from Sandaken to Ranau placed on top. Bronze plaques around the base record the details of the death marches and lists the names of 150 men from Wagga Wagga and district who died at Sandaken. The monument was cast by local monumental masons, J. Shephard and Son. It was dedicated by Father Brendan Rogers OFM, 8th Division A.I.F. Chaplain Sandakan and Kuching. It was unveiled by the Honourable Con Sciacca M.P. Minister for Veterans Affairs on 28 August 1994.

Sunken Garden

Constructed in 1938 to commemorate Australia’s 150th anniversary and suitable plaques erected on stonework seats. A sundial was incorporated therein and the whole of the sunken garden dedicated to commemorate “The Pioneers”. It was officially opened on 9 October 1938.

Flagpole

This was formerly a derrick from the H.M.A.S. Sydney. A mark can be seen on the flagpole where the derrick was struck by a shell during the encounter off Cocos Island on 9 November 1914 which resulted in the sinking of the German cruiser Emden. It was obtained by the Soldiers and the Sailors War Memorial Committee when H.M.A.S. Sydney was withdrawn from service in January 1929. It was unveiled by the mayor and Chairman of the Committee, E.E. Collins, on 11 November 1931.

Fountain

The fountain was donated to the City of Wagga wagga in the 1800’s, and is sometimes referred to as the Chisholm Fountain in honour of its benefactor. Following the fountain’s removal from the Civic Centre precinct some years ago it has now been refurbished and is to be relocated to the Victory Memorial Gardens. The fountain has been located in a number of sites around the city in its history including the Wagga Hospital and the Victory Memorial Gardens.

Botanic Gardens

The present Botanic Gardens area has been established on an area at the base of Willans Hill, which until development was a holding and grazing paddock. Many years were spent in establishing the basic layout, and advance planting of the existing tree cover.

The Gardens were officially opened to the public on Saturday, 24th August, by the then Director of the Botanic Gardens Adelaide, Mr T.R.N. Lothian.

During this opening ceremony, trees were planted in the Australian native Flora section, by representatives of each of the states of Australia. These trees have since matured, and form the basic framework of this portion of the gardens.

Tree Chapel

As part of the Australian Bicentennial Celebrations in 1988 the Wagga Wagga Interchurch Council agreed to provide a Tree Chapel for the City of Wagga Wagga. It was decided that this chapel would be provided within Council’s existing Botanic Gardens Complex and a site was chosen on the side of a hill within the Gardens.

The concept of the Tree Chapel was first developed by the Reverend Campbell Egan who was, at the time, an alderman of the Wagga Wagga City Council and the design of the chapel was carried out by Council staff. The Tree Chapel is a bowl-shaped amphitheatre cut into the side of the hill and, during excavation work for the project, a layer of solid rock was uncovered which enabled the alter to be formed by existing rock strata.

This, together with a decision to use rough sawn timber, created a naturalistic atmosphere which blends in superbly with the surrounding bush land. To enter the Chapel one has to cross a water course through a lych-gate and, on entering the Chapel, the dominant feature is seen to be a large wooden cross and altar which are made from River Red Gums.

The Chapel has seating for approximately 100 people on rustic benches, again made of River Red Gums. A further 300 people can be seated on the lawn area in the centre of the Chapel. From the entrance to the Tree Chapel paths have been laid in a circular manner on either side. These pass through groves of trees then to the upper level of the Chapel where, from behind the altar, a superb view of the western part of the City of Wagga Wagga is gained.

The aim of the Tree Chapel was to provide an outdoor worship area and to surround this with trees relevant to the Bible. From the outset the trees were to be a feature of the Chapel and it was agreed that only those plants that had obvious Biblical significance would be used within the Chapel. The Chapel was to be very simplistic and uncluttered and to provide a place where people could worship and meditate within a garden setting. Each tree or grove of trees planted within the Chapel is provided with an explanatory plaque detailing the significance of the tree providing a Biblical reference.

Some examples of plants used were: Palm Trees, to symbolise the entry of Christ into Jerusalem; Olive Trees, to symbolise the story of the agony of Christ; Willow Trees, reminiscent of the lament in exile (Psalm 137). These along with many other plants were provided to the surrounds of the Tree Chapel and are now reaching a stage where the concept of the Chapel is coming to reality and people can walk through groves of trees to view the Chapel.

Work on the Tree Chapel commenced in 1986 with the first plantings being carried out on the 27th July of that year. The Chapel was officially opened with a dedication service on the 21st October 1988. Since its completion the Chapel has seen many uses ranging from weddings and christenings to Scout and Guide services, and church services carried out by a number of religious denominations.

The Chapel provides a haven within the gardens and it is very rare that one walks past it without finding someone using the area as a place of peace and quiet as was intended. The Chapel is floodlit and is provided with power. This enables evening as well as daytime usage and by the provision of power enables music to be available for many of the services. As the Tree Chapel is considered a place of worship one of the considerations of usage is that any wedding ceremonies conducted within it are carried out by a Minister of Religion.

The Tree Chapel is a very public symbol of the cooperation of all the Churches within the City of Wagga Wagga and the community of Wagga Wagga, and is a very lasting reminder of Australia’s Bicentennial with its significance increasing as it matures. It is a very interesting example of the different landscaping concepts and principles that can be applied to displaying plants in a different light and there is always considerable comment on the choice of plants and their relationship to the Bible.

Camellia Garden

This Garden was developed by the City of Wagga Wagga as a Bicentennial Project in conjunction with the Hume Branch of the Australian Camellia Research Society and the Wagga Wagga Quota Club, both of whom had been interested in the development of a Camellia Garden within the City for some years.

Mr and Mrs Harold Fraser, from the Camellia Society, had been involved with a number of visits to China and had taken Camellia plants to China to establish a Friendship Garden. They had also, some years ago, taken greetings from the Mayor of Wagga Wagga to the City of Kunming.
Over these years the City of Wagga Wagga has developed an affinity with the City of Kunming, the home of the Camellia, and when the Camellia Society together with the Quota Club suggested that the development of a Camellia Garden would be appropriate as a Bicentennial Project, this was enthusiastically supported by the Wagga Wagga City Council.

The Botanic Gardens was seen as a logical place to develop this garden along with a number of other projects suggested for the Bicentennial. One of the aims of the Bicentennial was to encourage communication and closer contacts with overseas countries and the Camellia Garden fitted extremely well into this.

In 1985 things started to move with construction of the garden commencing and taking the next three years to complete. The first plantings of Camellias within the garden took place in August 1986. The site chosen for this garden was immediately adjacent to Council’s existing Botanic Gardens, on the bottom slopes of what is known as Willans Hill. The garden itself covers some 2.5 hectares and had an existing mature coverage of callitris and eucalypt trees which have subsequently proved very successful in providing an overstory for the planting of the Camellias. To enable the site to be developed required construction of 200 metres of brick and rock retait an average height of one metre. Behind these walls were placed substantial drainage systems and approximately 500 metres of specially mixed soil was placed on top of the existing soil. The entire site has been provided with a six foot high chain mesh fence to ensure that the garden was fully secured after hours.

From the commencement of the project it was decided that a central feature consisting of a Chines-style pavilion should be provided to provide the link of the Camellia’s origin. Some work was carried out and plans drawn up for a Chinese pavilion and during subsequent visits by members of Council and citizens of Wagga Wagga to Kunming in China, the Kunming Government agreed to provide the City of Wagga Wagga with a Chinese pavilion as its gift towards the Australian Bicentennial and to cement friendly relationships between the City of Kunming and the City of Wagga Wagga.

The City of Kunming is known as the City of Eternal Spring and the City of Wagga Wagga, the Garden City. This was a natural bonding between the two cities. The Government of Kunming provided four persons to travel to Wagga Wagga. These consisted of a stone mason, carver, painter and the head of construction team who designed the pavilion and water feature.
The Kunming Government in total provided the City of Wagga Wagga with the magnificent Chinese Pavilion, an entrance arch-way, stone lantern and a number of rocks to be used within the water feature next to the pavilion. The majority of material for this was shipped to Australia from China and was an enormous task considering over 5,000 glazed tiles were used on the roof of one pavilion alone as well as the inclusion of carved timbers, rocks and lanterns. The arrival of the material and the Chinese artisans took place simultaneously and construction of the pavilion was undertaken in the winter of 1998.

The pavilion, water feature, entrance arch-way and lantern took the four Chinese men plus many Australian workers eight weeks to construct and proved to be an amazing joining of two cultures, as neither could speak the others language. The majority of the instruction was carried out through an interpreter or simply by using sign language.

There are a number of other features within the Camellia garden which range from seats to bird baths to two very ornate gates and a magnificent moon gate. These were all designed and constructed by Wagga people and were provided by various service clubs and individuals as their gift towards this garden.

Over 200 Camellia species have been planted within the garden, all of which were donated by various institutions and individuals.

Gumi Race and Festival

Organised entirely by the Central Wagga Lions Club, the inaugural Gumi Raft Race was staged in March 1976, with competitors sailing from Eunony Bridge (Brick Hill Reserve) to the Wiradjuri Reserve.  A total of sixteen rafts took to the water during this first race, and they were to launch a Wagga leisure tradition that would last until 1995.  At the height of its popularity, the Gumi Race drew international competitors, hundreds of entrants and crowds of spectators lined the route. 

The Race was divided into 8 categories including: Junior Single, Junior Team, Women’s Team, Single Event, Gumi Team, Business House Team, Service Club Event and Best Decorated Gumi.  “Gumi” the Pidgin English word for [rubber] inner tube, also became a byword for ingenuity, engineering genius and at times just good old ‘rat cunning’!  Families, friends, neighbours, sporting clubs and business firms were pitted against each other, all in the name of fun.

The World Championship Gumi Race was part of the larger Wagga Wagga Gumi Festival.  The Festival usually ran for a week and featured events included the Gumi Street Parade where Fitzmaurice and Baylis Streets came alive with colour and activity.  Many of the floats and displays were created by Wagga businesses and community groups.  The floats were judged and prizes awarded.  In 1984, prizes were awarded in 7 categories: Best Decorated Gumi, Best School Float, Most Humorous Float, Best Business House Float, Best Out of Town Float, Best Decorated Window Display and Best Sporting Club Float.

Gumi photo competitions were also run, and the Miss Gumi Queen Quest, crowning of the Gumi King and Gumi Festival Balls were also enjoyed by the community.  In 1985, a carnival in Bolton Park was held at the finish of the Street Parade and it featured a Competition Bed Race with a first prize of $75 and a $25 consolation prize.

Other events during the history of the festival were the Gumi Festival Marathon Canoe Race, the Gumi Aquathon at Lake Albert and the Gumi Twilight Tennis Tournament. 

Sadly the days of the Gumi have passed… but they will not be forgotten. The Gumi Race ended due to insurance, environment and health and safety issues.

The name ‘Gumi’ comes from the New Guinea word for rubber.

Rules of the Gumi Race

1. All craft must be constructed and all entries entered in the spirit of the event
2. The means of floatation must be at least 80% by inflated inner tubes and that the craft must be manually propelled
3. Tubes can be held together by any means whatsoever, provided that river water flows directly and freely through, around and/or over them
4. The Committee reserves the right to reject any entry which they may determine as being offensive because of any sign which may be painted on or carried by any craft
5. Any hull design may be used so long as, in the opinion of the Committee, the craft is considered reasonably safe
6. A tow rope shall be attached to all craft at the bow and shall be at least 3.5m long
7. All crew members must wear a suitable flotation jacket
8. All crafts must be manually propelled – no motors allowed
9. No entrant is to assist any other Gumi except if Gumi is in difficulties
10. In all matters, the decision of the Committee shall be final
11. Crafts are to be no wider than three metres when transported by road

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