The Parthenon on the Hill

Abstract

It was a festive scene that Saturday, 29 November, 1929, on the hill overlooking the town, a scene marked by flags and bunting thoughtfully provided by David Drummond as local member and Minister for Education. This was Drummond's baby, and he had paid meticulous attention to detail throughout. A large crowd had gathered to watch events and the assembled dignitaries, including Premier Thomas Bavin, the Chief Secretary, the Director of Education, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, the Director of the Tourist Bureau and Mayors and Shire Presidents from across the North. The Armidale City Band played to entertain the gathering. Two foundation stones were laid, one by Drummond, the other by the Premier. The Government, said Minister Drummond, was determined on the decentralisation of higher educational facilities and, in addition to providing the Armidale College, had purchased a fine site at Wagga to erect a college to serve the southern parts of the State. "Some people might cavil at the expenditure", the Minister said, "but if they did it was due to ignorance. Actually, the cost of the college being erected was proportionately cheaper to that of the Sydney College."