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Plaque installed at Lions Park in memory of former caretaker
Gladstone Regional Council staff have installed a commemorative plaque on a bench seat at Gladstone’s Lions Park to honour a former caretaker of the facility.
The plaque has ‘Helen’s Rest’ engraved on it in memory of Helen Connolly, who tended to and was the sole caretaker of the old Lions Park, turf nursery and old cemetery for a number of years.
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said he received an email from Helen’s family requesting that a plaque be installed at Lions Park in recognition of her work at the facility.
“The family advised Council that the park looked very tired when Helen took it over from her predecessors,” Councillor Burnett said.
“We were told Helen would proudly move hoses and sprinklers around to keep the park looking green and tidy, and that it was a place she held dear to her heart.
“Council wants to recognise the past contributions made by Helen at Lions Park and offer our appreciation for the time and dedication she put into caretaking.”
Lions Park has changed significantly since Helen was its caretaker, with the Kin Kora facility undergoing a $3.6 million redevelopment in 2017, and in 2018 it received the Park of the Year award at the Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) Regional Awards for Queensland.
The state-of-the-art park contains several areas with sensory features for children and adults with disabilities, and boasts ample car parking, toilets, barbecues, picnic tables and other amenities.
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