PICTON – Commemorative Asset Naming – Don Jones Stage

Closes: Apr 9, 2025, 5:00 PM

Commemorative Naming of Council Asset

Botanic Gardens Stage in PICTON NSW

“Don Jones Stage”

 

© Wollondilly Shire Council. © Department of Customer Service

 

Commemorative Asset/Feature Naming for Don Jones

A Mayoral Minute was put forward at the 28 November 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting, resolution 304/2023, supporting the naming of the new stage in the Picton Botanical Gardens in honour of the late Don Jones (DOD 23 October 2023), for his significant contributions to the Wollondilly Shire over his lifetime. 

Don was a passionate and dedicated State Emergency Services (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS) Volunteer who cared deeply about his community and was a very giving person, volunteering in other areas in the community.

Throughout his life he was a person who always served the community and, whichever community he lived in, he would enthusiastically embrace it, find his place in it and look for ways someone with his particular skills could support the community. He had a passion for disaster management.

 He joined the SES in Bourke in the late 60’s, and his passion and skill saw him eventually rise to the rank of Regional Controller, responsible for Bourke and Brewarrina, back when that role could be filled by volunteers. 

Don moved to the Wollondilly in 1988, and joined the Wollondilly SES. He was involved in numerous search and rescues, flood responses and motor vehicle rescues. Don coordinated sandbagging, food drops, and evacuation centres in Picton and across the Shire in the late 80s and early 90’s, and he was instrumental in building the Shire’s first dedicated road rescue vehicle. Don remained with the Wollondilly SES until 1994, when he retired. 

In recent years, Don rekindled his passion for emergency management, joining the NSW RFS after the devastating Green Wattle Creek fire in 2019/2020. Don found his niche in the Southern Highlands Support brigade. He found that his skillset was very well suited to the duties the brigade undertakes and he remained with the brigade until his passing.

Outside his involvement in emergency services, Don was involved with other community groups. He joined the local scouting groups as a Cub Leader, and was Cub leader at Tahmoor and Bargo Scouts. He was also heavily involved in the project to build the Scout Hall at Thirlmere. 

Don was also heavily involved with St Stephen’s Church at Thirlmere and contributed to the building of the current church. 

Don spent thousands of hours volunteering at Picton High School, working with the Performing Arts Department to make improvements to their hall. He assisted in making it a great venue for events and was responsible for a number of improvements.  

Don coordinated the lighting and audio for many years at the community Christmas Carols in Picton, Thirlmere, Bargo and The Oaks. Don volunteered his time and expertise to direct the Picton High School students in planning, setting up and operating lights and audio at the events. His inspiring mentorship resulted in many young people pursuing careers in the entertainment production industry all over the world. The stage is a fitting feature to be named in his memory for his contributions to the Wollondilly community.

The NSW Geographical Names Board (GNB) recommends that Councils when naming of assets follow the same Place Naming guidelines for parks and reserves.

 

Enquiries

General enquiries can be directed to Council’s Information Officer (Property Addressing) on (02) 4677 9736 or email streetaddressing@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au

 

Submissions

Submissions in respect to the proposed name must be in writing to, Wollondilly Shire Council at, PO Box 21, Picton NSW 2571 or email council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au , clearly outlining reasons for such objection (quote reference CM8678).

All objections must identify where or how the proposal does not conform to the Geographical Names Board (GNB) NSW Address Policy and User Manual (APUM) & Place Naming Policy, if they are to be considered and responded to by Local Government in the decision making.

Submissions for the proposal open 17 March 2025 and closing date of 5:00pm Wednesday 9 April 2025.