On 17th April 1954, the centenary of Gladstone celebrations took place at Barney Point, the exact spot where the first settlers landed on 30th March 1854. A public holiday was granted for the occasion and about 4,000 people watched a re-enactment of O’Connell’s landing and Fitzroy’s proclamation of residency.
Cyril Davidson, whose grandfather was William Bligh O’Connell (Maurice’s brother), played the part of Maurice O’Connell, and William Golding played Sir Charles Fitzroy. In addition to descendants of pioneers, officers of “HMAS Waiwera” stood in for the naval officers of the “Calliope” and the Gladstone High School cadets for the soldiers. Mr and Mrs Lewola supervised the re-enactment ceremony. At its conclusion the lady mayoress, Mrs O’Malley, laid wreaths on the adjacent grave of Thomas Miles Stratford Riddell.
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