I had a visitation last week from the ghost of Thomas Whitton, the old fella that was hung 178 years ago next to the Goulburn Court House right where Goulburn Mulwaree Council is trying to build a PAC (Performing Arts Centre).
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He was very spritely and highly amused that on the very first dig, he repeated, the very first dig of this project, they came across the foundation of the first gaol in Goulburn dated 1841. He questioned if the council had an historical advisor? I said I believed they have one that doesn’t even live here.
Oh, he found that amusing but not half as funny as those two extraordinary builders who just bought Crazy Clints across the road from the McDermott Centre that the council wanted to buy with the purpose of very expensive parking for those attending a few “big events” (he did the rabbit ears sign).
Tom said, “I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. The good news, Tempe, is that I have heard the council has finally cottoned on to the idea you floated last year after you asked Mr and Mrs Kelly if they would sell the Old Furniture Warehouse”. I said, “Fancy you knowing about that? Were you there at the Tatts that day I asked them”. He said “No, but I saw your letter to the editor in the Goulburn Post (18/10/17) and I hoped some of those decision-makers might grasp the opportunity before those very smart builders do. As you said, there is so much room there, the council could accommodate all user groups and the PAC. There is heaps of parking and no businesses nearby open at night requiring customer parking. The council need not have blown $700,000 for five years to rent at the Huntley Arcade for only the Youth Group. There are other groups as well.”
I was really impressed with all Tom’s information about Goulburn, to which he replied that he lives here and is very concerned about the possible damage to a couple of grand buildings close to where he was buried. He became very distressed, saying that the council could have contracted architects to adapt this spacious old E.C. Manfred designed building for a PAC and spared him and all his mates a lot of anguish. I said, “Cheer up, old man, there’s still hope that someone might listen as the present mayor heeded my letter to the editor (5/10/15) pointing out that it would not be a wise move to sell the council-owned farm just near the racecourse.”
Then he vanished. I was totally stunned, but he flashed back and said, “I’ve heard that the Hetherington Street project is out of funds and not yet finished. There’s always that $4,000,000 saved for Crazy Clints. Crazy’s the word!” and he was gone.