“What stories could these roses tell?” They bloom here in Sturt Park. This park is a peaceful oasis in Broken Hill. It invites us to reflect on the Silver City’s rich history.
Sturt Park was first known as the Central Reserve. In 1892, it hosted a mass meeting. Over 6,000 unionists gathered. They protested the termination of their 1890 contract. This contract protected miners. Women’s Brigade members and mothers with children supported them. Mine owners retaliated. They imported non-union labor. They were called scabs. The strike collapsed four months later. Contract mining was reinstated.
In 1943, the Broken Hill City Council renamed Central Reserve. It became Sturt Park. This honored Captain Charles Sturt. It marked the centenary of his explorations. He passed through the Barrier Ranges. This area is now Broken Hill. He searched for an inland sea. He was 65 million years too late. Sturt was a colonial administrator. He mapped large areas of uncharted land. This included the Simpson Desert and the Darling River.
Over the past century and a half, Sturt Park has seen much. Sporting events took place here. The town swimming pool was located here. Weddings were held here. Commemorative ceremonies occurred here. Several historic public assemblies gathered here. Now, it is a peaceful place. Many memorials stand here.
The most famous memorial honors the Titanic bandsmen. The inscription reads, “played to the end”. Legend says the band played as the ship sank. The Titanic story touched the community. Musicians from Broken Hill’s brass bands felt it deeply. The city band, union bands, and miner’s bands all contributed. Women’s bands, Salvation Army bands, school bands, and military bands helped too. The community paid for the memorial.
A plaque sits beneath a big old fig tree. It acknowledges the Afghan cameleers. They serviced the outback for over 50 years. Without them, central Australia would not have been accessible. They were known as the Ghans.
There is a memorial to John Curtin. He was a Labor party leader. He served as wartime prime minister from 1941 to 1945. The Women’s Branch of the Australian Labor Party erected the plaque.
Students from Broken Hill schools planted a lone pine tree. It remembers the 75th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
A plaque commemorates the Salvation Army’s role in Broken Hill’s history.
Gardeners found a lesser-known plaque. It honors Helen Alker. She was the beloved wife of a Broken Hill health inspector. It is the oldest memorial to a woman in the city.
Significant upgrades were made to the children’s playground in 2020. A new skatepark opened in 2022.
Sturt Park was first gazetted as the Central Reserve in 1895. It officially became Sturt Park in 1944.
Near the rotunda stands the Titanic memorial. It honors the heroic bandsmen. They played to quell the passengers’ panic.
The Titanic Collection is at the Synagogue of the Outback Museum. It is located at 165 Wolfram St.
Sturt Park has large grassed areas. It has a wonderful display of roses and flowers. There is a skate park. A fenced adventure playground exists for children. It includes a gas barbecue and a covered picnic area. Tables and chairs are available.
So, take a moment here in Sturt Park. Remember the stories etched in stone. Reflect on the spirit of Broken Hill. It is a city built on resilience and community.