New memorial cements legacy of Cruickshank Park creator

Published on 23 December 2024

A memorial has been erected in Yarraville’s Cruickshank Park to honour Peter Anderson, who led the development, preservation, and enhancement of one of the municipality’s most popular parks.

The memorial, a rotunda, featuring a paving stone has been built to recognise his substantial contribution to the development of this treasured community space, named for former Mayor, George Cruickshank, which opened to the public in 1981.

The driving force behind its creation, Peter Anderson, who used to play in the quarry holes with his mates as a lad, first approached Council in 1968 with a proposal to transform the wasteland behind his property into what is now a beloved park popular.

It became his life’s work. Over the next fifty years, with the support of an advisory committee, Peter, and wife Lola, redeveloped the area, once home to around 11 quarries and an informal tip, from a dusty quarry site into the suburban oasis that it is today, complete with green lawns, a play space and shade trees bordering Stony Creek.

Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari, spoke on the importance of recognising Peter’s legacy, stating “The establishment of this memorial reflects the impact of Peter’s lasting contributions to the City of Maribyrnong and will inspire future generations to appreciate and uphold the values he exemplified in nurturing and advocating the importance of community spaces.”

Along with providing a place for locals to wander, walk their dogs and enjoy nature, there is also a frog pond, rain garden, and nesting boxes supporting a thriving ecosystem attracting a range of native wildlife, and of course Mimi the Dinosaur in McNish Reserve.

Peter and Lola Anderson were together awarded the 2021 Maribyrnong Citizen of the Year Award, for their lifelong commitment to Cruickshank Park, specifically recognising the Park as a crucial sanctuary for residents during the challenges associated with the 2020 lockdown.

Council endorsed a proposal at its September 2024 meeting from the Friends of Cruickshank Park to establish the memorial for Peter Anderson as a tangible reminder of his incredible investment in his community.

Peter passed in August 2023.

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