It might not have been unveiled with the same fanfare as similar bronze busts at Blaxland and Wentworth Falls, but a statue of explorer William Lawson is now in place in the town that bears his name.
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The bust takes pride of place in the Lawson town square, near four plaques portraying the history of the highway shopping strip on the new central steps.
Julius Timmerman, member of the local resident group Association of Concerned Mid Mountains Residents, said “the history of Lawson is not well known”.
“Of course there is evidence of Aboriginal occupation and movement through the area, making use of swamps and waterways, and records of white explorers. However, the stories of the shops now gone, and their heritage significance, are little known. The plaques are an interesting source of information about the commercial and social development of the town centre from the 1890s.
“Our group worked with council’s consultant, Ian Rufus, on the plaques, researching history and photos as well as providing input to the narrative, to ensure that this part of the town’s history is available to tourists and locals. Much of the information was previously collected by members of the former Mid Mountains Historical Society and more detail can be found on the website: http://www.midmountainshistory.org/.
“We are pleased that council has ensured completion of the plaques and we also acknowledge and thank our supermarket owner Sam who financed the project.”
