Special Council Meeting - City of Burnside

Freedom of Entry
Kensington Park Reserve | 5 November 2006
The Squadron is part of our history, and through
holding the rights to the Freedom of our City, a
right rarely given to groups or individuals, they will
remain part of our future.
Burnside has much to be proud of. Through
celebrating our 150th year, we have used
this opportunity to look back at some of the
achievements within our City and the individuals
that have lived here.
We are indebted to the pioneers who laid the
foundations of the City, directed its development
and moulded its destiny to ensure that future
generations can enjoy its beauty and dignity.
What makes our community truly unique is our
strength as a group. This comes from a community
based on trust, tolerance, and co-operation. This is
not an innovation of our time, nor the generations
before that. It has its beginnings at the very
inception of our city 150 years ago.
We have held a special council meeting that focused
on how our City has changed in the past 150 years,
undertaken a major historical display, opened a
time capsule, conducted historical tours and also
celebrated a combined church service at St David’s
church, home to the original Council Chambers.
Celebrations still to come are the 40 th anniversary
of the opening of the Burnside Pool, the launch of
some new historic walking maps, a concert by the
Burnside Symphony Orchestra and our Australia
Day celebrations.
Looking back at our
past enables us
to learn from both
our mistakes and
our successes, and
gives us a chance to
continue on or create
a tradition for future
generations. Tradition
is a link to the past,
and I believe a City’s
history helps form its
character and keeps
alive the actions and
memories of its former
residents.
In fact this reserve, on which we stand today, has a
strong link between the City of Burnside and the Army.
Colonel Waite saw action in both the Boer War and
World War One, and was also a resident of Burnside.
Not only did he serve his country, he was also
a servant of the community and was an active
member of the Burnside Council, serving as a
Councillor, Alderman and Mayor from the mid
1920’s until the early 1940’s.
In honour of his service, both to the community
and to his country, a reserve was named after him,
ensuring his memory lives on into the future.
This is a generous, outward looking City willing to
share the good fortune that life has given us with
those who are less fortunate.
Our world has changed much since Burnside
was proclaimed a Council in August 1856, and
the demands upon both our organisations have
changed considerably since our formation.
However the hopes and dreams we all have for our
community, and the determination and courage to
develop this wonderful city has not changed over
time.
I am proud that the 144th Signal Squadron could
be an active part of our celebrations and on behalf
of the residents of Burnside, I thank you for your
invitation to participate today and wish you well for
the future.
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