Famous for its annual Highland Games festival, Aberdeen, New South Wales Australia (not to be confused with the one in Scotland) is surrounded by some of the richest horse studs in Australia.
Apart from the Highland Games, we hadn’t stopped here before, because we are usually driving through on our way to something else. With a population of under 2,000, we weren’t expecting too much, but were please with the few things we found.
Lion’s Park has some lion sculptures and several plaques detailing the early town of Aberdeen. There are some tables with shade next to the sculptures , which makes this a good place to stop for a break.
In the centre of town, on the New England Highway, Taylor Park has memorials, and a cairn, raised by the Highland Games, dedicated to the sons and daughters of Scotland who made the district their home. Several other nearby towns have Scottish names, most notably Scone which is only 10 minutes away.
The park also has an anchor on display, but there is not plaque detailing where it’s from or what it commemorates.
The local Men’s Shed is colourfully decorated and can be found at the entrance to the local sporting field.
So overall, not a huge amount to see but interesting if you have a few minutes to spare on your drive through.
Lions Club MemorialLions Club MemorialSons & Daughters of ScotlandPlaque in Taylor ParkTaylor ParkAnchor in Taylor ParkAnchor in Taylor ParkMen’s Shed
Located on the New South Wales Central Coast, Wyong is around an hour’s drive north of Sydney, or an hour’s drive south from Newcastle. We visited to see the historic building and street art as well as visiting Alison Homestead on the outskirts of town.
Our first stop was the Chapman Building, where Glee Coffee have a café where you can grab a morning coffee. Opposite the café, the latest artwork was being installed. Unfortunately, these are taken down after a few months, but replaced a year later by the council.
At Alison Road, a map of the heritage walk has been installed. This is great in case you haven’t looked up the locations of what to see before-hand. Just across the road from the sign is Tightrope Lane, with it’s footpath painted as a tightrope.
We walked around the centre of town having a look at the old courthouse, post office and other buildings before heading off to the Alison Homestead. Another nearby attraction worth seeing is the old Milk Factory which now has a tavern, chocolate and candle making and arts and crafts.
Glee Coffee in the Chapman BuildingHeritage Sign Hely StreetStreet Art Hely St 2022Heritage Walking MapHeritage Walking SignStreet Art in Tightrope LaneStreet Art in Tightrope LaneWar MemorialOld Court HouseTurton’s CornerAutumn Leaves on Hely StreetThe Art House
The centre for local outdoor sports like football, netball cricket and hockey, Maitland Park also has some interesting memorials scattered around its grounds. Located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley two hours north of Sydney, plenty of parking makes access easy.
Robins Oval
St. Pauls’ Church
The largest place of interest was the old St. Pauls’ Church, which although no longer a consecrated church still looks good. We liked the tower because of the elevated doorway entrance. Now a pre-school, the local community still gets good use out of this old building.
St. Pauls Church Now a Childcare and Pre-School CentreSt. Pauls Church Now a Childcare and Pre-School CentreSt. Pauls Church Now a Childcare and Pre-School Centre
Richard Alexander Young Memorial
Commemorating the public service of Richard Alexander Young, who died suddenly aged 43 in 1893 this red brick folly shows the high esteem he was held in by the local community. It’s great to see it in such good condition after more than 120 years.
Richard Alexander Young Memorial
James Wolstenholme Memorial
Erected in 1912 to commemorate the charitable works of James Wolstenholme, this memorial originally stood in High Street, where it also served as a drinking fountain. Although the drinking fountain no longer works it still reminds those who look of the man’s good deeds. Unfortunately, it has not survived as well as the Richard Alexander Young Memorial located nearby and is in need of restoration.
James Wolstenholme Memorial
Maitland Fallen Soldiers Memorial
Officially unveiled on 25 April 1923 (ANZAC Day) to commemorated servicemen from Maitland who were killed in World War One, the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial is the largest in the park.
Since its unveiling, memorial walls added to either side commemorate other conflicts Australia has been involved in. This beautiful memorial has a winged female figure with an upraised sword in marble on top of a column.
Along with other memorials in the park, it’s interesting to see how they have evolved over time.
Maitland Fallen Soldiers Memorial
Maitland Fallen Soldiers Memorial
South African (Boer) War Memorial
Originally dedicated to the memory of the volunteers from Maitland and surrounding towns who fought in the Boer War, especially the 13 volunteers killed in action this memorial is next to the Aquatic Centre. Later additions to the memorial recognise the suffering of Afrikaner civilians and African Natives who died in the Concentration Camps in addition to the combatants. During the conflict over 56,000 men, women and children died in the concentration camps.
Recognising the huge impact on the Afrikaner and native populations in addition to the combatants demonstrates how Australians’ understanding of the war changed with time.
South African (Boer) War Memorial
National Service Memorial
Located under a shady tree and fixed to a large boulder, this memorial commemorates those who undertook National Service in the Australian Defence Forces from 1951 to 1972.
Of the 288,000 who undertook training, 212 died on active service in Borneo and Vietnam.
National Service Memorial
Millennium Sun Dial
Placed in Maitland Park to celebrate the millennium, the Millennium Sundial also contains a time capsule to be opened in 2101.
Millennium Sun Dial
Sandakan Prisoner of War Memorial
This memorial commemorates the single worst atrocity suffered by Australian servicemen during the Second World War. The working conditions at Sandakan and Ranau camps in North Borneo and subsequent the death march resulted in the deaths of 2,434 prisoners of war. Over 1800 were members of the 8th Division AIF. Only six prisoners survived, all of whom escaped and were assisted by locals.
Representing a relief of the local terrain in Borneo, the memorial shows the march the prisoners were forced to make.
Sandakan Prisoner of War Memorial
Sandakan Prisoner of War Memorial
What Did We Think of Maitland Park?
This was an interesting park to walk around, because of the interesting memorials. It was interesting to see how several evolved over time, due to changing public awareness and the involvement in other wars.
It was also interesting to see how a well thought of person like James Wolstenholme is now virtually unknown and had their memorial moved from the main street.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
