HUNDREDS of school children and community members assembled at the historic Rook Walk overlooking the Crater Lakes precinct yesterday to commemorate its centenary.
Many dressed in costumes from the era as a tribute to more than 2000 people who built the majority of the structure on a single day in 1918, exactly 100 years ago yesterday.
The historic event was a collaboration between Mount Gambier City Council and the Mount Gambier History Group, celebrating the largest community effort in the city’s history.
City Council local history officer Danni Reade opened proceedings before a Welcome to Country from Aunty Penny Bonney.
“After a nervous few days, we are really thankful for the cooperation of Mount Gambier’s often fickle weather,” Ms Reade said.
“The Border Watch reported on the day of the original great working bee the weather was ‘slightly cloudy with a wind’ so the organisers have done particularly well to recreate the atmosphere today.”
Mayor Lynette Martin OAM described the construction of Rook Walk as “an amazing feat”.
“What a sense of community they had – they were volunteers ahead of their time,” Ms Martin said.
“It is so wonderful to see so many community members here today and children dressed in the costumes of the time – it makes for a wonderful celebration.
“Descendants of the Rook family have come from far and wide and their presence makes the occasion all the more meaningful.”
Special guest Ian Parish paid tribute to his grandmother Eleanor Warren, who designed the Rook Walk with Margaret French.
“Margaret and Eleanor, two women in their thirties, were the visionaries who came up with the concept,” he said.
“The fact they managed to convince Arthur Rook – a man – they had a good idea in 1918 is remarkable and I’m proud as hell of them.
“Way back then, when women did not even have a vote, they were still part of something like this.”
Guest speaker Brian Brooksby said the Rook Walk – which features a 10ft stone wall and three lookouts – was an example of impressive engineering and team work.
“We now drive past this without thinking about who built it and how it was done,” Mr Brooksby said.
“You should walk along the top and look down because it will give you a greater appreciation of the scope of the project.
“The great working bee was a time of joy for residents for on November 11 World War I was declared over.
“Many from Mount Gambier who had volunteered to serve their country would soon be coming home, however 143 soldiers would never return – lest we forget.”
Rook family descendant Susan Chamie described the building of Rook Walk as a tribute to those lost at war and a symbol for the end of a “terrible time of destruction”.
“The planning and construction of the Rook Walk is but a blip in the history of this place, compared to the Boandik people’s caretaking of it for up to 60,000 years,” Ms Chamie said.
“This celebration has not only prompted a family connection for us, it has brought together and rekindled the spirit that inspired that band of willing workers so many years ago.”
