Stait Drive, Kelso
Council has received a request to name a new road at Kelso as Stait Drive after John Alexander Stait who was also known as “Jack” or “J A “.
Construction of the road has commenced as part of the Marsden Heights Estate. The road commences at Marsden Lane and heads generally north west providing a connection through to Laffing Waters Lane and Sofala Road (refer to Bathurst Regional Development Control Plan 2014 Map No.4 Kelso in the Document Library).
The following is the historical background to Mr Stait provided by the developer:
Born: 29-08-1926 Portland NSW Australia
Died: 09-03-2016
Husband of Clare Pauline Stait (Shumack) and father of 6 children.
Moved his family to Bathurst from Portland in 1967 to the property they named “Clairvaux” at Kelso.
Prominent Earth Moving Contractor and Grazier.
Bathurst Rotarian for many years and during this time he helped raise significant funds. In early 1982 he hosted at the family property “Clairvaux” two highly successful events referred to as “The Dogs Night Out’. Each night raised sufficient funds to buy and train two guide dogs.
Successfully stood for Bathurst City Council in 1980. While a Councillor he was very instrumental in:
- Council buying land opposite the Scott’s School Bathurst on the Oberon Road to establish an Industrial precinct away from the flood plain.
- Persuaded Council to grant the Catholic Church proper access off Gilmour Street – Sofala Road to what is now known as Paddy’s Hotel.
- Bathurst Council upgrading the standard of their machinery, especially trucks.
- Raising of the Ben Chifley Wall.
- Building of what was the Southern Mitchell County Council building in Russell Street Bathurst.
Jack was a major contributor to St Stanislaus College Bathurst via donated Earthworks for their new Olympic pool and numerous new sporting ovals (in today’s value in excess of $250,000.00)
Jack was a major employer in Bathurst for that time. (50 employees at one stage).
Jack was a well-known and highly respected businessman, Grazier, friend and Bathurstian.
The above information has been supplied by Moria Stait being the daughter of Jack Stait.
Jim Inwood comments as follows via the Glanmire - Walang Bush Fire Brigade website:
“Our first dedicated full time tanker was a 4 x 4 International truck which we bought second hand. It had been used by the Electricity Commission and suited our purpose. To fund this truck and equipment several of us put in $100 each and Jack Stait who was a Bathurst City Councillor at the time put it to Council that as we were a back-up brigade for the Bathurst Airport it would be helpful if they contributed. Bathurst Council was agreeable and contributed $2500.”
The name complies with Bathurst Regional Council's Guidelines for the Naming of Roads.