In the late to middle 1800’s Young began to develop into a  substantial country town. Gold was no longer the main product of the region. Agriculture had developed into the main industry and fruit growing had become one of the major occupations. A lot of the large squatting kingdoms had been broken up and mixed farming had become common.

Gum Flat, originally part of James’ Whites Burrangong Station was now owned by R.H. Roberts and a substantial residence built on it.  Gibb, Watson, Tout, Chew, Beaumont, McGregor and Caldwell were all passing on and a new generation was taking over. Thomas Sloane of Morrilla was noted for his sheep experimentation.

Donald McGregor, the Bland Pioneer, died at Morangorell and was buried at Young. Steel Caldwell, the Bland’s oldest resident died at Cairn Hill .For years he traded his fat stock on the Melbourne Market and was the first to ring bark trees  on the Bland, often using Chinese labour. Wheat growing continued to expand and more area was sown to it each year. Quinces were grown on the Monteagle farm of George Summerhayes and peas on Mrs. Phillips farm, Ratho, at Stoney Creek.

While all this development was going on with the farm land around Young the town area was also being developed and improved. The Young Park was being established and in May 1889 it was ploughed with trees and scrubs planted, to honour Lord Carrington, the Governor of New South Wales the Young Park had a name change and was renamed Carrington Park.

Carrington Park has been developed into a beautiful park and is a showpiece of the town. There are a number of trees over 100 years old which cannot be replaced. The park is Heritage Listed and is in a Heritage precinct and should not be interfered with for a project which has all the appearances of a white elephant. A large area has been converted to a car park and more will be taken as time goes on.

A person who would be extremely upset about the intended damage to the Park would be Harry Smith who spent about 40 years of his life looking after and developing the park. He maintained an extensive area as a zoo. There were monkeys, a koala bear, kangaroos, swans, cockatoos, wee juglers, mountain lawries and pea hens.

All the larger towns in NSW, as well as some not so large towns, have substantial and well developed Town Parks and Young considers itself to in the top echelon of towns of similar size.

There is no other area suitable for a reasonably formal and stately park close to the CBD and therefore Carrington Park should be preserved at all costs. The Hilltops Council should not throw its hands in the air and grab at an easy solution. 

A Walk and Talk in Carrington Park

Save our Park.  Friends of Carrington Park. 

Come along Wednesday 21 Feb at 6:45pm in Carrington Park