James Joseph (Jim) Bastick

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Jim Bastick. Image courtesy Orange & District Historical Society.

Jim Bastick’s death in 1982 marked the end of an era in the horticultural history of Orange. Jim and his father James served on Council’s parks and gardens staff for more than 90 years. They were responsible for many of the parks, garden plots and street trees that beautified Orange and led to its reputation as Garden City of the West. Many of the city’s trees still stand today as a living memorial to the Bastick family.

Born in 1909 in the cottage in Cook Park now known as Bastick Cottage, Jim had planned to become a motor mechanic. The Great Depression of the 1930s thwarted Jim’s ambitions and he decided to follow his father into horticulture. Jim learnt much from his father but also studied by correspondence.

In 1932 Jim married Jessie Ellen Matheson. They made their home in the cottage in Cook Park and had six children. Their first child, Mary, died tragically at 18 months when she was hit by a swing in the park.

Jim was a dedicated gardener who took great pride in his work. During times of drought he could be seen lugging watering cans through the city to sustain his trees and shrubs. Jim was also civic-minded and enjoyed serving his community. A director of Orange Base Hospital for 23 years, he was also a member of the Orange Ambulance Board and secretary of the St Joseph’s Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Jim Bastick died in Orange on 21 December 1982, aged 73. Jessie outlived her husband by 24 years. When she died in 2006, aged 95, her descendants included 20 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

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