History preserved as W.J. Castling Memorial works underway

Restoration works are underway to preserve the historic W.J. Castling Memorial at Anzac Memorial Park for generations to come.

Townsville City Council has engaged stonemason and heritage restoration specialists to carry out the intricate project.

The restoration works involve careful cleaning of the century-old structure, repointing of stonework joints, repairs to damaged decorative elements, drain widening works and desalination of the memorial’s stone to prevent long-term deterioration.

The project is funded through the Queensland Government’s Honouring Our Veterans Grant Program, with Council providing matched funding to deliver the restoration.

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the project would restore the memorial to its former glory, ensuring it can stand pride of place within Anzac Park for decades to come.

“This memorial is more than just stone – it’s part of the historical and social fabric of Townsville and serves as a permanent reminder of the calibre of people who have built our city from the ground up,” Cr Dametto said.

“These works are about doing the job properly, respecting the memorial’s heritage and making sure it remains something our community can be proud of for another 100 years.”

Adam Baillie, Member for Townsville said that it was terrific that works to restore the memorial were underway.

"In Australia’s largest garrison city, Anzac Memorial Park serves as a place of remembrance and reflection honouring the service and sacrifice of generations of our community,” Mr Baillie said.

"For over 100 years this historic memorial has stood proudly in Anzac Memorial Park and this restoration recognises and preserves Townsville's history and heritage for many years to come.”

The W.J. Castling Memorial was erected in 1908 through public subscription – a dated version of the more contemporary “crowdfunding” – as a working drinking fountain along The Strand, opposite Customs House.

It was dedicated to William J. Castling, a prominent citizen who was born in Yorkshire and educated in Ipswich, later coming North where he sought his luck on the goldfields of Charters Towers before buying shares in a butchery and settling in Townsville in 1876.

Castling quickly established himself as a successful businessman who was active in local municipal affairs, serving several terms as an alderman on the Townsville Council and later as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the city.

He was also a member of the Thuringowa Divisional Board, the Townsville Building Society, the Fire Brigade, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ayr Tramway Board, was a trustee of the Townsville Grammar School, and one of the original trustees of the Sports Reserve.

Sadly, Castling drowned in Ross Creek in 1906.