Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence - nearly finished!
The Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence in the Wal Buckingham Park next to the Memorial is almost complete.
The Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence is an initiative of the GPA, Glenorie Memorial Hall Committee and Hornsby Shire Council.
Obective: to develop a fence that is in keeping with the heritage of our community, acknowledges the community contribution of the late Ray Whiteman plus honouring the military forces. The project will involve a fantasic carved sandstone fence and landscaping. The GPA is working closely with Hornsby Shire Council.
Thanks to the council, and in particular HSC Deputy Mayor Warren Waddell and Mitchell Blue and Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council for their assistance. The GPA Fence Committee with the Hornsby Shire Council finalised the plan and it has been exhibited and approved. Meetings have been extremely positive working closely with David De-Fina, Landscape Co-ordinator at Hornsby Shire Council and Zoe Cooke HSC in developing the cohesive plan which links the cenotaph to the Memorial Hall via the fence in one flowing design. As a community, being able to better utilise the space is fantastic and the paths have been installed with landscaped gardens and new tree plantings. New tables and benches have been installed and the park will be able to be utilised for picnics and relaxing from the daily grind.
Now the fence is being built to complement the cenotaph and create a beautiful framework for the park, The beautiful carvings respect the sacred area for ANZAC, of course pay tribute to Ray and the heritage of our area, starting with the First Nations pier, through the convict road build with early transport Glenorie Bus Company bus sponsored by the Deaman Family who founded the GBC. We celebrate the agricultural pioneers of the area and volunteers who have contributed to our community thorugh sport, scouting and Fire Flood emergencies.
Karl Van Middeldyk of AUSSIE Stonemasons has completed all the fantastic carvings and some are pictured above. In 2025 the military carvings = Navy and Air Force and Merchant Navy, are now complete. Only the Army Rising Sun to go, donated by the Van Middeldyk Family.
Robyn Preston in her capacity as our State MP secured $10,000 to contribute to the project, directly from the Premier in the form of a discretionary grant, on top of the $20,000 Community Building Partnership Grant towards the fence. Bendigo Bank (Galston Community Bank) has contributed $50,000 towards the carvings and build and many, many wonderful members of the community have also contributed. The Shore Family has purchased one pier to be named in their honour,
Our efforts have raised over $175,000 to complete this project.
We still welcome your support to raise monies to fully fund an enhanced project, with interpretative signage and any other enhancements that may be considered.
You can contribute by:
Direct credit donation to
“The Ray Whiteman Heritage Fence Fund” : BSB 633 000 Account 172 608 085
