Mawson Park one of three Campbelltown nominations for Blue Plaques

Mawson Park was where the proclamation naming Campbelltown in 1820 took place.

Few people would know that or that the beautiful little oasis in the heart of Campbelltown pictured above was previously known as the Reserve for Public Recreation.

If a bid by local MP Greg Warren is successful, Mawson Park will also boast a blue plaque naming it as an important part of the history of Campbelltown and indeed NSW and Australia.

It’s one of three heritage listed sites and building Mr Warren has nominated from Campbelltown to a new state government program called Blue Plaques NSW.

The program is part of a $5 million heritage engagement initiative inspired by a Blue Plaques program in the UK.

The aim of erecting or installing blue plaques is to foster curiosity in heritage by recognising the places, personalities and major events that matter to communities across NSW, including Campbelltown, Macarthur and outer South Western Sydney.

“I think it’s a very good idea and hope the Campbelltown sites are accepted into the Blue Plaques program,’’ says Mr Warren.

“These are all already heritage listed, but having a blue plaque will help to increase awareness of what the story about them is all about.’’

As well as Mawson Park, Glenalvon House in Lithgow Street, pictured above, and the four historic townhouses in the southern end of Queen Street known collectively as the Queen Street Conservation Area (pictured below) have been nominated.

“Glenalvon House is a superb example of a classical type of colonial house in NSW,’’ says the nomination.

“The house played an important role in the early development of Campbelltown, and is associated with early civic life. It was restored in 1970.’’

The Blue Plaques nomination for Mawson Park states that it was the site of the naming of Campbelltown by Governor Lachlan Macquarie 201 years ago in in 1820.

“The park was also the site for numerous public executions in the early days of the settlement.

“Sports such as horse racing and cricket were played here when it was known as The Green and it has connections to the Fisher’s Ghost Street parade that originated in the 1950s.’’

“At the southern end of Queen Street are four buildings that were built between 1840 and 1860,’’ says the final nomination.

“These late Georgian town houses are considered to form the only surviving late 1840s streetscape within the County of Cumberland.

“They were later acquired for preservation by the County of Cumberland and today form part of Campbelltown’s historical precinct.’’