There’s a small park in Newtown called “Moorak Park.” It’s on the south side of Noble Street opposite Talbot Street. I walk my dogs through and past it regularly so with a bit of time on my hands again in these unusual times I decided to investigate.
It’s the name that got my attention to start with. We’re in the parish of Moorpanyal and nearby is Moolap and there’s also the Moorabool river. So, my starting guess was that it was likely to also be an Aboriginal name, which it is. It’s an aboriginal word for mountain, or hill. And this makes a lot of sense as Moorak Park is sitting proudly on Mercer’s Hill in Newtown. But the obvious question begs, well to me anyway, why and how?
Part of the land the park comprises was given to the town council in February 1920 by Cr Marcus Collins. The other part was purchased by the council from Mr R. Venters.
“Cr. Marcus Collins, of Noble-street, Newtown has marked by himself the occasion of the return of himself and Mrs. Collins from a world trip by presenting a valuable block of land for the purposes of a public reserve in Newtown. It is to take the form of Peace Memorial in the borough, the land is in one of the best positions in Newtown, near the present residence of the donor. The matter was discussed last night's meeting of Newtown and Chilwell Public Works Committee. Cr. Collins presented the block of land in Noble street, in size 70 feet by 330 feet, conditionally upon the council purchasing the adjoining block which has since been arranged. His intention had been made known before, and negotiations for purchase of this block were made. It is proposed to make of the land a Peace Memorial reserve, the cost of which, including the laying out in trees and walks, is expected to be between £500 and £600. An appeal will be made to burgesses to raise this sum by subscription. Many of the borough's leading residents, being interested in the city as well, have already given to general memorials, but councillors feel they will also wish to be identified with their own memorial, and will have a few pounds to spare for the purpose. At the next meeting of the council the question of name and planning will be discussed, councillors thinking well about the proposal in the meantime.”
"NEWTOWN PEACE MEMORIAL." Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) 12 February 1920: 3. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165416879>.
The name “Moorak” comes from the Collins’ who lived next door to the park, on the eastern side, in “Moorak.” The house still stands there. It’s been renovated and restored in recent years and is looking great. If you look closely, the word “Moorak” can be seen in the leadlight above the front door. The Colllins’, having donated the land, named it Moorak Park. They went one step further and contributed 800 pounds for the construction of the park as well, about half of what was raised to complete the works. From all of this, it’s not surprising to find a memorial to Marcus Collins in the centre of the park.
The park was intended as a borough soldiers’ memorial and, as such, the ratepayers were encouraged to contribute generously to it.
Mr F Bartlett, an experienced gardener, was appointed to lay out the park. A rock frontage was built to face Noble Street (still does), gravel paths ran in various directions (now concreted), and hedges, shrubs, and other plants were placed in suitable positions.
A water service was added to the park. If that supplied the very sad and delipidated drinking fountain in the Collins Memorial, it has not been kept up.
In 1921, a “war trophy” was added to the park. It was a 105mm German howitzer gun.
“The trophy is a 105 milimetre howitzer in a very battered condition. Much of the gun’s gear has been shot away, marks of intense bombardment being very noticeable. The trophy will be placed on a stand in Moorak Park in Noble-street.”
"WAR TROPHY FOR MOORAK PARK" Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) 23 September 1921: 2. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165777221>.
Now long gone, like most of these “trophies” are, there are signs that it might have stood just north of the Marcus Collins Memorial.
In 1988 a new memorial was added, the City of Newtown War Memorial. The Memorial commemorates those who died in service or were killed in action in the various conflicts in which Australia has been involved. It was dedicated on Remembrance Day, 11 November 1988. I note here that Newtown doesn’t hold its annual Anzac Day memorial service here, rather its commemorated at the Boer War Memorial on La Trobe Terrace. Sadly, none of us will be there this year.
You wouldn’t call it a well-appointed park. It has a small children’s play area to the rear, seats dotted around, and some toilets for public use. The drinking tap has seen better years and no longer operates.
What’s not obvious or clear is why there are two plaques at the Noble Street end, each under a small tree. They are plaques commemorating anniversaries for the National Council of Women of Victoria, Geelong Branch. One for the 40 years: 1944 to 1984 and the other for 60 years, 1944 to 2004.
Marcus Edward Collins
Union Woollen Mills was established in 1874 in Geelong by Marcus Collins’ father William Henry Collins. In 1910 Marcus Collins assumed control of the mill. The business was incorporated in 1913 and became Collins Bros.’ Pty. Ltd. It was located on the west side of La Trobe Terrace, just near the Barwon River. The building still stands there today, bearing the company name.
Marcus Edward Collins was very prominent in the Geelong region. He was on the Newtown and Chilwell Council for over 20 years and was twice Mayor of the city.
Marcus died at Moorak on 14 April 1935. The memorial in his honour was dedicated on Monday 10 March 1958.
William Henry Collins was the nephew of Lieutenant-Colonel David Collins, famous for the 1803 Sorrento settlement near Sullivan Bay. In 1804, Collins became the founding Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Van Diemens Land, which in 1901 became the state of Tasmania. Collins Street, probably the premier street in Melbourne is named for David Collins.
The role and prominence of Geelong never ceases to amaze me. If it weren’t for the infamous map this would be the capital of Victoria. But that’s a story for another day.
Stay safe out there.
Chris
References:
"MOORAK PARK." Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) 3 April 1920: 2. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165415918>.
"WATER AND SEWERAGE DOINGS." Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) 15 July 1920: 2. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165424641>.
"NEWTOWN AND CHILWELL." Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) 26 August 1920: 4. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166031915>.
"MOORAK PARK." Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) 12 August 1920: 2. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166028896>.
"WILLS AND ESTATES" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 19 June 1935: 6. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12250351>.
"OBITUARY" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 15 April 1935: 8. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12229469>.
"GEELONG REMINISCENCES" Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) 21 July 1928: 9. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232410106>.
"COLLINS' MILLS." Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929)13 September 1913: 2. Web. 4 Apr 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149809194>.
'Collins, David (1756–1810)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/collins-david-1912/text2269
published first in hardcopy 1966, accessed online 4 April 2020.
I have a recollection that the Park had an "Aleppo Pine" there at some time in the late 1990's most probably planted as a local school project but died and was not replaced. The tree was on the right of the path just past the Collins memorial. Can anyone verify this?