THE GUILDFORD ASSOCIATION
The Stirling Gates rededication
The ceremony for the re-dedication of the Stirling Memorial Gates was attended by His Excellency the Governor Mr Malcolm McCusker and Mrs Tonya McCusker on Tuesday 3 April 2012. The gates had been extensively damaged when a tree branch fell on them during a storm on Boxing Day in 2010.
The gates have been beautifully restored by stone mason Mr Guy Weguellin. The rededication ceremony was organised by a committee under the auspices of the Guildford Association and included The Royal WA Historical Society and the City of Swan. Students from the Primary School and Guildford Grammar were led by a piper down Stirling Street and through the Gates - their presentation and behaviour was exemplary as the re-enacted part of the original dedication ceremony. The “Welcome to Country” was given by Indigenous Elder, Richard Wilkes.
Speeches were presented by the Governor, Mr. Malcolm McCusker, the Mayor of the City of Swan, Mr Charlie Zannino and the Head Boy from Guildford Grammar School - Hamish Robertson.
The Association is extremely pleased that the restoration of the Stirling Memorial Gates was given a high priority by the City of Swan who managed the ceremony and later provided afternoon tea in the Mechanics’ Institute.