A war memorial that has already had three locations is finally going to stay put.
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A proposal to move the historic Boer War memorial from the northern to southern end of Robertson Park to complement the Cenotaph and other war memorials has been knocked back.
Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said there were concerns the 116-year-old memorial was too fragile for another move.
The people of Orange paid for it, a lot. Council didn't, it was quite controversial
- Cr Reg Kidd, Orange mayor
The Orange memorial was unveiled in 1905, just a few years after the conflict in South Africa ended.
It was first at the intersection of Summer and Anson Streets however it became a traffic hazard.
It was moved to the intersection of Summer Street and Lords Place before finally being moved into the park where it stands today.
Cr Kidd said the current site added to the appeal of Robertson Park.
"It just gives you the symmetry to the park," he said.
"That's probably one of our oldest memorials and it's quite fragile.
"It has had a restoration on a couple of occasions.
"It is fragile and really if you tried to move it you would cause an incredible amount of damage."
Cr Kidd said it was a unique monument.
"It's had three moves in its life of 100 years," he said.
"It was built before there were many cars."
Cr Kidd said it also had a unique heritage value.
"There aren't a lot of Boer War memorials around Australia," he said.
"The people of Orange paid for it, a lot. Council didn't, it was quite controversial."
Council's Cultural Heritage Community committee has agreed to leave the memorial where it is, which was supported by the council.
The council also agreed to seek funding from the Orange Ex-Services' Club and the federal member for Calare Andre Gee for maintenance and refurbishment of the Boer War memorial.
According to a report in a Sydney newspaper in March 1905, in the online digest Trove, Orange's Boer War Memorial was unveiled by Brigadier General Gordon before celebrations in Orange featuring massed band music, a procession and a sports day.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
