An original stonemason’s chisel belonging to famous Darwin stonemason Alexander Crerar has been uncovered at the site of the Ross Smith Memorial in Fannie Bay.

The Ross Smith Memorial is currently undergoing key restorative works in preparation for the 100th Anniversary of the epic England to Australia air race. Local builder Clayton Dwyer uncovered the historical piece buried at the foot of the Memorial.

Department of Tourism and Culture, Director of the Heritage Branch, Michael Wells, said the chisel brought a personal touch to the works being undertaken and was a wonderful insight into life in Darwin in the period between the wars.

“It is very rare to find a tool like this, associated with the construction of an important historic structure, and to be able to say with some certainty that we know the identity of the craftsman who held this tool in his hand,” said Mr Wells.

“There is little doubt the chisel belonged to stonemason Alexander Crerar, who assembled the Memorial prior to its opening on 20 May 1923.”

Landshapes Contractor, Clayton Dwyer, who is currently undertaking the restorative works on the memorial, said he was excited to find a key tool used by the original stonemason from back in 1923.

“On a project like this we are always aware of the work done by the people before you and we often wonder what it would be like working on the original installation almost 100 years ago,” said Mr Dwyer.

“I’m sure that at some stage, we both did the same thing, which was sit on the memorial during a break, hold his chisel, look out over Darwin Harbour and wonder what the place would look like 100 years from now”, said Mr Dwyer.

The memorial commemorates the landing of pioneer aviators Ross and Keith Smith who, on 10 December 1919, successfully won the epic England to Australia air race.

Conservation is being undertaken to the Memorial itself, and further work is being done to improve the setting of the Memorial in preparation for the 100th Anniversary celebrations taking place on 10 December 2019. 

ENDS

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Department of Tourism and Culture | Media Officer 0476 844 832