Orange residents are invited to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Cook Park at a community picnic on Saturday 25 November.
The community picnic will be held in the 4.5-hectare heritage-listed park from 10am to noon, featuring the Canobolas Lions Club barbecue, a cake cutting, commemorative tree planting and music performances in the bandstand by the Orange Male Voice Choir and City of Orange
Brass Band.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling invites residents to bring a picnic and honour Cook Park’s special place in the community.
HERITAGE: The Blowes Conservatory in Cook Park.
“It’s fitting that we mark this special milestone with a picnic, the same way generations of Orange families and visitors have enjoyed Cook Park in the past, and will continue to do so in future,” Cr Hamling said.
The block bordered by Summer, Clinton, Kite and Sampson streets was proclaimed a park on 30 November 1873 and officially named Cook Park, after Captain James Cook, in 1882. It was laid out in a traditional Victorian design with straight paths and rows of trees. Much of the original design is still in place today.
Several displays and activities have also been organised for community members of all ages to enjoy in the lead-up to the anniversary celebration.
Orange City Council’s Parks, Trees and Waterways Committee Chair, Cr Mel McDonell encourages everyone to join in the celebrations.
“This is a great opportunity for us all to find out more about the cultural heritage of Cook Park and teach our children about its significance,” Cr McDonell said.
An exhibition in the Endeavour Room of the Bastick Cottage provides details of the ‘People Who Shaped Cook Park’ along with a TV screen featuring a slideshow of more than 60 photographs depicting the park over the years. Banners due to be installed in the Blowes
Conservatory will share a timeline of the park’s development.
MEMORIES: A slideshow of historic photos is on display in the Endeavour Room at the Bastick Cottage.
Council staff will conduct guided tours of Cook Park at 11am each Tuesday and Thursday in November ahead of the community picnic. Book your free ticket at
Orange City Library will also relocate its regular early literacy programs for children to Cook Park in the week of November 20-24. Storytime; Ten Minutes a Day; 1,2 Books and Music for Little Ears will be held in the park, weather permitting. Bookings available
An education resource has also been developed for primary-school-aged children, which can be downloaded from the .
