Cumnock War Memorial Park

Cumnock War Memorial Park features mature trees, grassed areas, stone entrance gates and a sundial. It is site of various commemorative ceremonies held during the year.

The history of the park dates back to May 1945, when members of the Cumnock and Yeoval RSL sub-Branch resolved to establish the park and the nearby Cumnock War Memorial Hall and Gates. 

The first supporter of a practical memorial, rather than a monument, was Aubrey Reynolds, a Captain in the Australian Light Horse and Camel Regiments in the First World War. The idea was supported and expanded by Mr Keith Blaxland, then President of the RSL sub-Branch, and Mr George Black, a proprietor of Black Bros General Store in Cumnock. 

Planning, community consultation and works took place steadily through to the 1950s. A brief timeline is included below:

1945:

• Molong Express and Western District Advertiser, 29 June 1945, published a letter from K. H. Blaxland of Cumnock. He suggested the establishment of a centre in Cumnock owned by the people of the town and district and conducted by a democratically elected committee. The building would be surrounded by a small, well-cared for park.
• Wellington Times, 27 September 1945, reported on a recent meeting and noted a letter was received from the local branch of the Returned Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen's League in which the council committee was asked to support a scheme for the park and buildings in Cumnock. The secretary was asked to advise that the matter of the park was in hand and as soon as land became available, the matter would have their full support.  

1946:

• Wellington Times, 22 August 1946, published a detailed report on a well-attended community meeting to discuss the park and the plans drawn up by the Amaroo Shire Council engineer, Mr G. T. Pinnington, in conjunction with the Cumnock Memorial Park Committee. By this stage, a site for the park had also been proposed and Mr J. Black moved the land be purchased from the Bruce Estate and an additional area be purchased from Messrs Bruce Bros.   
• Molong Express, 6 September 1946, advertised for the sale and removal of the old stock yards on the chosen site. 
• Molong Express, 8 November 1946, reported the committee had adopted the master plan of the park prepared by Pinnington, which estimated the total cost of the park, including buildings, playing areas, tennis courts, children's playground, which was to be completed in three sections.

1948:

• Wellington Times, 4 November 1948, reported on the terms of the water supply to the site to be provided by the Council.

1949:

• A meeting held in late April 1949 discussed the installation of the water supply, a tennis and turf wicket club, and the collection of subscriptions and donations.
• Molong Express, 26 August 1949, reported the Council had made available 416 pounds for expenditure on the park and recreation ground.

1954:

• Molong Express, 15 October 1954, reported the park was in the final stages of development. A parkland had been created, with gravel roads, avenues of trees and an established bowling green. Additional tennis courts were under construction and a turf wicket had been put down.
• Wellington Times, 18 November 1954, reported Mr S. R. Reynolds, chairman of the park, suggested the Council become responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the park.