Only the letters are original, with modern day techniques utilised for the backing board and steel posts.

It is believed the sign used to stand on the Cootamundra railway platform. 

The sign’s journey from the railway station to the Heritage Centre is an interesting one.

In years past, most railway stations had similar signs.

When the XPT was introduced, it was deemed necessary to introduce new signs and the old ones were dismantled and marked for a journey to the tip.

The late Jack Crowe rescued one of the old all-metal signs, which took eight men to lift and carry, plus the metal letters and stored them in his shed until he could find a home for them.

The metal sign went to a good home.

Years passed, then Jack’s widow Phyllis contacted the Centre and the letters were retrieved from the shed – all except the letter ‘T’, which had somehow gone astray.

Friend of the Heritage Centre, Jim Caskie, made a 6mm steel replacement letter ‘T’, which exactly matches the remainder in the town’s name.

Then it was the turn of Cr Craig Stewart, who is the Shire Council’s representative on the Heritage Centre’s management committee.

Craig volunteered to manufacture a replacement sign, which would be used to enhance the grassed area at the Centre.

He co-opted his father, Kevin, and the letters were wire brushed, undercoated and painted in the original colours of white with black edging.

The backing board and steel legs were made and painted, the letters attached and the resulting sign was put in place outside the Heritage Centre.

The sign can be seen for a long distance, and it stands in startling contrast with the bricks of the Centre, leaving the traveller in no doubt as to where he or she is.