Hamley Bridge says “Hello” with entry signs
Works are happening right now to install the signs, which seek to pay tribute to the town’s rich railway heritage. They are expected to be completed and on-show by the end of the week.
Today, the people of Hamley Bridge are reminded of its former life as a railway service town by the iron relics dotted through it. The most prominent is a tall, auburn-red bridge to the south of the town, which is one of the tallest in South Australia and, before its retirement, carried engines over the Light River.
This ornate past has been captured in the latest instalment of Wakefield Regional Council’s town entrance sign roll out. The striking signs, designed by local Jon Povey, feature a steam engine chugging along the iconic bridge; based on a real photo of the Duke of Glouster’s 1936 Royal visit.
As part of Council’s program, residents were asked to combine creativity and understanding of their local communities to come up with conceptual designs for a series of new township entrance signs for Blyth, Brinkworth, Hamley Bridge, Lochiel, Owen and Snowtown, with the best design from each town awarded a prize of $500.
This program will continue to be rolled out by Council over the next two years, with four signs (two per town) to be installed each year at an annual cost of about $150,000 – or $76,000 each town.
Wakefield Mayor Rodney Reid said Lochiel’s new signs, installed in October, had received so much great feedback and he expected a similar reaction to Hamley Bridge’s.
“The signs mark such an important part of Hamley Bridge’s identity – the railways, which expanded in the 1870’s and really brought about the town,” Mayor Reid said.
“The intention of the new entry signs was to instill some community pride and to tie together our towns with uniform signs, as well as hero images unique to each town.
“It’s made even better knowing that locals designed this sign for visitors to see and to get an idea of its past as a major location in SA’s rail network.”
Next up are Blyth and Owen, which will be completed over this financial year, while Brinkworth and Snowtown’s will be in 2020/21.