This was a very interesting and pleasant day spent at Lithgow and the gardens of Stone. It was organised by Janine Kitson for the Colong Foundation For Wilderness. It was to give recognition to Vern and Joyce Moffitt who were strong unionists and conservationists from the Lithgow area. They were the first to recognise the significance to the pagodas that form the Gardens of Stone and campaign for their protection.
Vern Moffitt was a coal miner and also very active in the union movement. On the celebration day, a large contingent of retired unionists travelled by train from Sydney to Lithgow to show their support for the efforts the Moffitts had made and also to support the Gardens of Stone.
After the train trip, the part made their way down the main street of Lithgow and stopped at the Tin Shed Cafe for morning tea. A number of speeches were made. One of the retired unionists present was Jack Mundey, famous for his Green Bans that were responsible for preserving a lot of Sydney.
Then the group travelled by bus to Maiyingu Marriage Aboriginal Place just off the road to Newnes. After a welcome by Wiradjuri elder Aunty Helen Reilly there were some more speeches about the significance of the efforts the Moffitts had made.
Aunty Helen Reilly
Jim Angel
Bob Debus
Keith Muir
A replica of a new sign at the nearby Moffitt Pagoas was unveiled by members of the Moffitt family.
We then proceeded to have a look at the nearby Aboriginal Art site – a very special place.
Before heading back to Sydney, we went to the Vale of Clwydd Hall for a great afternoon tea.
And at the station – the Lithgow Community Choir were singing unions songs. Fantastic!
