The opening ceremony by the shipbuilders memorial
The opening of the Kincumber Shipbuilders Memorial was held at the Kincumber Foreshore on Sunday, November 29.
More than 43 descendants of local shipbuilders as well as a large number of locals attended the opening.
The opening was also attended by Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna, the member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch MP, member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks MP, a number of Gosford councillors and the director of the Australian National Maritime Museum, Mr Kevin Sumption.
Members of the Kincumber Rotary Club dressed in period costume for the opening and the crowd was entertained by poets, songwriters and a local chorus group dressed as sailors.
The official party and descendants attended a function at the Kincumber Library after the opening to view a display of local shipbuilding history.
The main memorial features the skeleton of a ship and was created by local sculptor, John Woulfe. The lawns in front of the sculpture contain plaques that acknowledge the parties involved in the creation of the memorial and those who have helped sponsor it.
The names are engraved in black granite and set on sandstone blocks. Rotary is seeking sponsorship from the community and local businesses to complete the funding of the project. Contributions will be recognised on the plaques at the main memorial.
There are an additional 20 memorials to individual shipbuilders to be placed around the foreshore. The shipbuilders memorial project was the brainchild of Terrigal resident and Rotarian, Graeme Davies and the project was managed by Booker Bay resident and Rotarian, Eric Perrett.
Tim Bowland, the public relations officer of Kincumber Rotary said: “Both these men have spent the last few years working tirelessly to bring the project to fruition.”
Media release,
Dec 3, 2015
Rotary Club of Kincumber