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Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates

Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates
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Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates
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Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates, close-up of First World War roll
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Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates, close-up of first Second World War roll
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Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates, close-up of second Second World War roll
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Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates, close-up of post-Second World War roll
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Tumbulgum and District War Memorial Gates, close-up of history panel
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Description / Background

These war memorial gates consist of five concrete pillars, which hold a small gate on the left and a pair of double gates in the centre. There are also two additional metal panels, known as wing grills. On the front of three of the pillars are three white marble plaques, inscribed with honour rolls for the First and Second World Wars. On the fourth pillar is a metal honour roll plaque, listing those who served in later conflicts. 

Following the Second World War, a Tumbulgum War Memorial Gates Fund was created. Money was raised through various socials held in the Tumbulgum Hall. Local materials were sourced for the construction and local firms completed the work.

The unveiling ceremony was held on 4 October 1948 and a detailed description of the function was published in the Tweed Daily the next day. Mr G. R. Avery, ex-president of the Tumbulgum Progress Association, was chairman, and speakers included Mr H. L. Anthony M.H.R. and Councillor A. Buckley, President of Tweed Shire. Mrs M. A. Hardy, a senior resident of the district, cut the ribbon to officially open the memorial. The gates were re-dedicated on 12 July 2007, to include the metal honour roll. 

Under a project funded by the Tumbulgum Community Association and Tweed Shire Council, an interpretative panel was installed close to the gates in 2013. It traces the history of the various sports that developed in Tumbulgum, and on the sports ground, as well as providing details of the 1948 and 2007 dedications of the gates and plaques.

The gates are visible from the roadside and accessible by the public at all times. The traditional Anzac Day Dawn service is also held on site every year.

Inscription

Roll 1

Lest We Forget

World War I

1914 1918

[Names]

Rolls 2 and 3

Lest We Forget

World War II

1939 1945

[Names]

Roll 4

Lest We Forget

To all those who served Australia

in conflict since WWII

[Names]

History panel

Tumbulgum Memorial Gates and Sports Field

In October 1948 a large crowd witnessed the official opening of the Tumbulgum District War Memorial Gates, erected at the entrance to the Tumbulgum sports field in Bawden St. Mrs M A Hardy, one of the oldest residents of the district, was given the honour of cutting the ribbon which signalised the opening. The official party included Mr H L Anthony MHR, President of Tweed Shire Council Cr A Buckley & former President of Tumbulgum and District Progress Association Mr G H Avery. 

On the two main gate posts are tablets with the names of 111 men from the district who served in the 1914–18 and 1939–45 wars. The names of those paid the supreme sacrifice are marked with a small cross. 

On 12 July 2007 the Tumbulgum Memorial Gates were rededicated as they had been modified to include a new tablet with the names of residents of Tumbulgum who have served Australia in conflict since the two world wars. 

The traditional 4.28am Anzac Day Dawn service is held at the memorial gates every year to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

Tumbulgum Cricket Club matches were established in 1878 and continued until the late 1970s when the structure of cricket changed on the Tweed. 

During the 1930s the Tumbulgum ladies formed a Vigaro team and played in the Tweed District Vigaro Association's Sunday competition. 

Rugby League was played early in the 1900s with Tumbulgum fielding top class teams who won many premierships. Some players represented the Tweed district, NSW and Australia. Rugby league folded in the 1950s.

In 1925 the Tennis Club was formed and located at the court in Gray St. The courts were relocated to Bawden St in 1948, with competition played between the surrounding villages. 

The Mens Hockey Club was formed after rubgy league folded and was played for a few years with the team winning the Border Hockey B Grade Championship in 1955.

In 1959 Tumbulgum Rangers Soccer Club was established comprising of junior and senior teams. By 1974 additional sports included mens and womens hockey, cricket and basketball so the name was changed to Tumbulgum Rangers Sports Club. The club's success has been evident through teams winning numerous premierships. 

In 1999 Tweed Shire Council named the sports field "The Brian Breckenridge Field" in recognition of the commitment, since 1959, of local resident Brian Breckenridge ASM, to cricket and soccer in Tumbulgum. 

Over the years, sport in Tumbulgum has provided an important social activity, with friendships forged between players and their opposing teams and some elite sports people have represented their club, district, state and country. 

Project funded by Tumbulgum Community Association and Tweed Shire Council 2013

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
R J Alcorn World War 2 view
A Allen World War 1 view
C F Arnold World War 2 view
G W Arnold World War 2 view
D N Austin Served in conflict since WWII view
G Baillieu World War 2 view
R J Baillieu World War 2 view
R Barr World War 1 view
J Birmingham World War 1 view
P Birmingham World War 1 view

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Address
Tumbulgum Sports Field
85 Bawden Street
Tumbulgum NSW 2490
Local Government Area
Tweed Shire
Setting
Roadside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Gate/lychgate
Recorded by
Graham Wilson. Tweed Shire Council.
Year of construction
1948
Dedication date
04 October 1948
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
All conflicts
Materials
Brick
Concrete
Marble
Metal