Community leaders have gathered to remember the bravery and dedication of Victoria Cross (VC) winner, John Hamilton, with the unveiling of a statue outside Orange’s former Town Hall.

Orange mayor John Davis OAM is delighted the statue could be put in place in time for this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.

“The campaign to recognize the connections Hamilton had with Orange gained momentum during recent preparations for the World War I centenary commemorations. It’s obvious we should recognize that Orange had a second soldier who was awarded the VC,” Cr John Davis said. “The bravery of Sir Neville Howse has been acknowledged for many years, but when it was discovered that John Hamilton was born in Orange, there was strong community support for another memorial to be built.”

The life-size bronze statue was cast in Victoria by Everlon Bronze and funded by :

• Orange City Council $25,000
• NSW Government $25,000
• Orange Ex-Services Club $25,000

“I congratulate all those who had a hand in garnering support for this project, and I’m delighted that when ex-servicemen and women gather here in front of the Town Hall to march on Anzac Day each year, the statue of John Hamilton and the stories of his courage will be here to inspire them, and see them off on their way,” Cr John Davis said.

“This site outside the old Town Hall was historically a place for Orange residents to gather, and it’s an ideal location for a statue with a story like this.”

Representing the NSW Government at the unveiling Hon Katrina Hodgkinson said : “It is a great honour to be here today representing the NSW Government and to be part of a ceremony that honours the actions and story of one man from this city whose courage and daring exemplifies the spirit of the ANZACs.”

President of the Orange Ex-Services Club, Graham Gentles said the club was pleased to be involved in the project.

“We’ve already named a re-vamped room at the club after Hamilton, but this statue will be a great addition for the Orange community ,” Graham Gentles said. “In this location I think the significance of this statue will continue to grow. It will mean more and more to Orange residents in future years.”

PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT JOHN HAMILTON :

John Hamilton was born in Orange on 24 January 1896.

Enlisting on 15 September 1914, he took part in the original landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

At age 19 John took part in the bloody battle of Lone Pine. Of the 883 officers and men of the 3rd Battalion at the time of the assault, only 291 marched out. Early on the morning of 9 August the Turkish troops launched a violent attack. Hamilton was ordered to take up a position on the parapet, behind and above the trench to attack the Turkish troops coming across open ground. His role was as a sniper, protected only by a number of sandbags. He hurled improvised jam-tin bombs at the Turks, as well as picking up enemy bombs and throwing them back before they exploded.

After a spell in England, when he was presented with a Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace, Hamilton went back to the front in France with his unit, and fought at Pozieres, Mouquet Farm and Flers during the Somme offensive.

John Hamilton settled at Tempe in Sydney, and worked as a docker, shipping clerk, storeman and packer. He was an active member of the Waterside Workers’ Federation.

During the Second World War John Hamilton returned to active service as a lieutenant on 3 June 1940 and served with the 16th Garrison Battalion until September 1942. He served overseas with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion in New Guinea. In 1944 he joined the Army Labour Service, and was promoted to Captain on 21 October. With his unit he supported the Australian forces who landed on Bougainville in July 1945. His second period of war service was terminated on 19 August 1946.

John Patrick Hamilton, a son of Orange, died of cerebro-vascular disease in the Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, Sydney on 27 February 1961, leaving his widow Myrtle and a married son Alwyn.

SEE MORE AT : http://www.centenaryww1orange.com.au/places/gallipoli/john-patrick-hamilton-vc/

The bronze statue was installed days before the public unveiling.

A wet winter last year has contributed to a reduction in the number of European wasps about the city however Orange City Council staff are urging the community to report nests in recreational areas to further reduce the population.

In previous years places like Lake Canobolas have been swarmed with the insects and while the numbers are reduced, staff are taking measures to ensure the area can be enjoyed by all.

Orange City Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Chair Cr Neil Jones said council’s parks and gardens staff are using environmentally friendly baits to trap and dispose of the stinging insects but he is calling on residents to report all nest sightings in public spaces.

“The baits are effective and give staff a good indication on the population numbers but serious reductions only happen when they can find a nest and dispose of it,” Cr Jones said.

“The nests are greyish in colour but are usually in the ground and the wasps enter through a small hole.”

European wasps are similar in size and shape to a bee but their abdomens are slightly more cylindrical and they have distinctive yellow and black triangular markings. Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times.

“European wasps tend to build nests in the ground or in sheltered areas and have a tendency to be aggressive if they’re disturbed so it’s important people don’t touch them but instead call the council,” Cr Jones said.

“But there is plenty you can do at home to reduce the number of wasps about the place. Place all cat and dog food, particularly meat, inside if you can or in the garage. Wasps can travel up to a kilometre in search of food and they can detect meat on the air quickly.

“Also make sure any fruit that falls from garden fruit trees is not left to rot on the grass because fruit is a great source of protein for wasps.

“It’s also a good idea to clean up after an outdoor barbecue quickly so the smell of meat can’t travel as far and attract the insects to your home.

“If you find a nest at your home, it’s best to call a private pest control business to come and dispose of it.”

If you find a wasp nest on council-owned land please call the council on 63938000.

Top tips to discourage European wasps:

• Do not leave fallen fruit or food scraps lying around the yard
• Avoid leaving uneaten pet food or dog bones outside
• Make sure rubbish bins have tight fitting lids
• Keep compost covered at all times
• Keep swimming pools covered when not in use
• Cover exposed food at picnics and barbecues
• Don't drink out of cans or bottles, use clear containers or a straw.

BUILDING BLOCKS : Orange City Council’s Planning & Development Committee chair Cr Russell Turner...,' “It’s important that as community we all own the implications of this contributions plan.'

STONE MAKING Students from Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School participating in one of the museum's many education workshops

Orange City Council has approved plans to build a new accommodation building in Kite Street with potential for 77 apartments.

This week's council meeting (4 April) also gave the go ahead for the current building on the site, the former Central Western Daily newspaper office to be demolished.

The newspaper has moved to new office nearby in Lords Place.

The four story new development to be operated by Quest Apartments is valued at $10.5 million.

The proposal includes plans for 80 car parking spaces.

As well as apartments, the building includes conference room, a café and space for a street front 65 seat café and leasable retail area.

Recent coverage of Orange's Orange's mobile parking patrols is prompting discussion about how the system works.

"Orange is only going to get busier and parking will be harder to find," Nick Redmond said. "Business owners have to ask tough questions about whether it makes sense to use parking spaces which could be used by their customers."

"The mobile parking system has been fine-tuned to be accurate as it can be. Rangers have been instructed to give a driver the benefit of the doubt if it’s not clear from comparing computer images whether or not the car has moved.

"At some point the decision about whether one driver is issued a fine or not, will and must depend on a human judgement. That’s why the system includes the opportunity to gather more evidence and appeal to an independent party, the State Debt Recovery Office.

"The simplest way for a driver to avoid any possibility of being fined in the first place and then spending weeks or months contesting a fine, is that they should not return to park in a spot that they’ve just left."