General News
13 June, 2023
Remembering early playground tribute
THE first of 12 special signs has been erected at Little Lake Boort telling the story of Stan Salter. Boort Tourism Development Committee is erecting the signs after the recent upgrades of Nolens Park discussed the future of a granite rock bearing...
THE first of 12 special signs has been erected at Little Lake Boort telling the story of Stan Salter.
Boort Tourism Development Committee is erecting the signs after the recent upgrades of Nolens Park discussed the future of a granite rock bearing the ‘AS Salter Memorial Playground’ plaque.
Stan Salter was unknown to committee members and Paul Haw researched his history.
“Stan joined the army in 1916, served in France as a gunner in the artillery. He was seriously wounded and had his left leg amputated. On return to civilian life he became the manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Boort. Unfortunately, Stan died of a stroke in 1939 at the age of 50,” he said.
“The Boort Standard reported his death under the heading Whole Town Mourns - “Easily the most popular and likeable citizen in our town, the place which Stan had filled in our midst will indeed be hard to fill. Besides being secretary to the Boort Masonic Lodge, the deceased was also connected with every public and sporting body in the district. President of the golf club, vice-president of the RSL, treasurer of the trotting club and auditor to numerous other bodies”.”
Paul said that after his death, the Community raised funds for a playground in Nolens Park so he would never be forgotten.
Double swings, double see-saws, slides and a large sand pit were opened in 1939.
Paul said that while the playground had been replaced the plaque would link today’s fun and exercise equipment with the original playground named in honour of Stan Salter. The photograph used on the plaque was first presented to the local RSL when Stan died.