According to Moree and District Historical Society, publicity officer, Lewis Macey Jellicoe Park was originally known as the East Moree Park.

He said the local newspaper, the Gwydir Examiner, reported a number of trees from the botanical gardens were expected to arrive in Moree for use in the park.

On September 21, 1914 the council decided to have a small ceremony with the Mayoress Mrs RTB Delander invited along with Major Crane PM to make a speech in which he said he was very pleased to take part in any function which was to the advancement of the district, stating the formation of a park undoubtedly did.

Mr Macey said according to records, it was proposed to run bore water into the hollow of the park and have an ornamental lake with oriental trees growing, which would have been pleasing to the eye and formed welcome shade in the summer months.

It was hoped the park would be made into a children’s reserve and be supplied with swings and a gymnastics appliance, roundabouts and see-saws which could be seen in many parks throughout the state.

A group of school children, conducted by Mrs Newling, sang ‘Rule Brittania’ and Mayoress Delander thanked the people present for their attendance prior to planting a silky oak, stating she had great pleasure in declaring the Jellicoe Oak, named after Admiral John Jellicoe.

After the tree was planted the school children sang the national anthem.

Unfortunately, a few weeks after the trees were planted they were the victim of vandalism with the Examiner at the time reporting it had been “ruthlessly torn up by some enterprising young vandal” with the wire netting around the side broken.

In 1916 the Examiner reported an some trees planted by the council were pulled out or snipped off, with a call for children to be banned from using the park after they were blamed for the vandalism.

The Examiner again reported in 1928 repairs to the park should be considered by the council including fences to prevent cattle from entering, and that gum trees be lopped. It was also recommended that the council provide a three-chamber drinking fountain and a 200 candle power lamp be placed in the centre of the park.

On May 15, 1930 a fountain erected to perpetuate the memory of the late Alderman TR Hogan was unveiled.

There are also reports rugby league was played in the park.

Mr Macey said he had seen many changes in the park over the years.

“I’ve been here since 1963 and I’ve seen the monument now located at Fairview have to be moved because of vandals,” he said.

“The memorial fountain had to be moved to Fairview a few years ago because of the continual vandalism, but the base remains.”

In recent years the path through the park has been bricked, a bridge across a small gully has been built and fencing has been removed.

The park also contains one of the town’s water supply towers, the local band hall, a covered pergola and many rose bushes have been planted.

“Jellicoe Park was one of the first parks in Moree, not the first, but one of the first and that’s probably why it’s so iconic,” Mr Macey said.