About us, friends of Parkside Gardens

The Association was formally set up in November 2000 following six months research by a Steering Committee made up of several community volunteers concerned about the degradation of the land/moat, relocation and demolition of the cultural displays following vandalism at Parkside Gardens - the former International Village project- established by public deed poll in 1975.

In October 1973 the Village Project was given the go ahead by the State Government. Then Tourism Minister Murray Byrne, in announcing funding for the scheme, said that the Village would be a
'major tourist attraction of state and national importance.'
Two of the main aims were:

When the Commissioners closed the Village Project in 1995, they conducted a public consultation and resolved in 1996 to further develop the entire site including the moat and renamed it Parkside Gardens.
This decision was made
'for the benefit of the many people who contributed significantly to the development and operation of the site, and because of the community interest in the site as parklands.

They further recommended that a Friends of Parkside group be formed to provide input to the special committee which was set up to oversee the future operations of the site. The group was never formed.

The broad community could assume then that the previous International Village site, left in pristine condition by the community committees of management, became officially free entry public parkland.

Greater Shepparton Council as the Responsible Authority, also resolved in December 1997 to maintain and further develop the parkland area. Insurance money from the Japanese Folk Museum burnt down by vandals in November 97, and other funds obtained from the proposed residential subdivisions external to the moat on the south west and south east corners, were also to be used for this purpose.

In June 1998, Council adopted a strategy within its
"Recreation and Open Space" document to develop in 1999/2000 a Master Plan for Parkside Gardens recommending that:

This strategy was never implemented.

Following the formation of the Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Steering Committee in May 2000, a letter (June 2000) was written to individual councillors to inform them of our intention to approach them in relation to the deterioration of the site and to seek a community partnership with them to restore the land and waterways.

Our aim also included support to the lessees of the remaining educational local cultural and tourist attractions - the Bangerang Keeping Place, Philippine House and Museum and the restoration of the Chinese cultural heritage structures and gardens.

Also in this letter, we advised Councillors of our intention to register the former International Village within a Heritage Study undertaken by City of Greater Shepparton and project managed by Eric Braslis. (June 2000).

Believing that the former International Village has significant heritage as a place of cultural importance to our city and its residents, Committee members Kevin and Peg Jordan attended this public meeting to register the site.
However, despite numerous phone calls to Mr Braslis over following weeks, there was never any feedback from this process. I have been unable to obtain any report from this first Heritage Study to this time.

The Steering Committee wrote to Council to organise a meeting with councillors in August 2000 to discuss the aims - only to be told that Council had 'not decided the future of the Gardens'! We now understand clearly that the Council agenda was always to develop the historically significant former International Village site as another private residential area.

Our membership commenced in October 2000 at a large family fun day conducted at the site. Members joining on that day and to this date in 2004 are registered Friends of Parkside Gardens.

Membership includes persons aged from seven to ninety years of age. Philippine, Chinese, Polish, Slovenian, Dutch, Greek, Italian, Australian and British cultures are represented within our membership. We aim to encompass the broader community with all of our actions to retain this cultural and significant site now thirty years old.

The challenge for all of us, which has continued on since May 2000, has been enormous and costly - one which community stakeholders should not have to argue and debate with the elected Council.

Unfortunately the integrity of the site continued to be damaged by the ruthless destruction of the Chinese pavilion in February 2000 and the Council's early morning demolition in May 2002 of the Chinese pagoda, moongate and bridge - much valued and treasured icons to the whole community.

Association membership, which is ever growing, now stands at 200 and we have many groups and organisations supporting our efforts both physically and financially.

To become a member, individual memberships have now risen to $10 per annum and renewals will also be set at this rate for 2004/05.

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Mechanics Institute Wyndham Street Shepparton - 7:30pm and 8pm in daylight saving time. Come and join the fantastic work being undertaken by the Friends of Parkside Gardens in order to protect our beautiful 20 hectare site, which includes surrounding waterways, for our broad community and future generations to enjoy.

Join us if you wish to support this significant issue. It is a great way to meet people interested in the preservation of a vibrant, healthy multi-cultural community asset in Greater Shepparton.


Greater Shepparton Botanic Garden Ass. Inc.
		About us, Friends of Parkside Gardens
	About us History of Parkside Gardens How to get to Parkside Gardens, Latest News Archive Membership Contact Us Committee Next Meeting Newsletter List of Supporters The Linnean Society Protectors of Public Lands Victoria (PPL) Greater Shepparton Citizens Action Group Slide Show Tai-Chi in the park		The Association was formally set up in November 2000 following six months research by a Steering Committee made up of several community volunteers concerned about the degradation of the land/moat, relocation and demolition of the cultural displays following vandalism at Parkside Gardens - the former International Village project- established by public deed poll in 1975. In October 1973 the Village Project was given the go ahead by the State Government. Then Tourism Minister Murray Byrne, in announcing funding for the scheme, said that the Village would be a 'major tourist attraction of state and national importance.' Two of the main aims were: To foster a sense of internationalism in the people of the district and to educate, particularly children, in the culture, music and traditions of the various nationalities of the world. When the Commissioners closed the Village Project in 1995, they conducted a public consultation and resolved in 1996 to further develop the entire site including the moat and renamed it Parkside Gardens. This decision was made 'for the benefit of the many people who contributed significantly to the development and operation of the site, and because of the community interest in the site as parklands. They further recommended that a Friends of Parkside group be formed to provide input to the special committee which was set up to oversee the future operations of the site. The group was never formed. The broad community could assume then that the previous International Village site, left in pristine condition by the community committees of management, became officially free entry public parkland. Greater Shepparton Council as the Responsible Authority, also resolved in December 1997 to maintain and further develop the parkland area. Insurance money from the Japanese Folk Museum burnt down by vandals in November 97, and other funds obtained from the proposed residential subdivisions external to the moat on the south west and south east corners, were also to be used for this purpose. In June 1998, Council adopted a strategy within its "Recreation and Open Space" document to develop in 1999/2000 a Master Plan for Parkside Gardens recommending that: Priority be given to the development of a Master Plan for Parkside Gardens that establishes aims, objectives and a facility plan for the development of the site The Master Plan assess the appropriateness of each of the facilities currently located at Parkside Gardens and where appropriate, make recommendations about the relocation of facilities considered to be incompatible with the Master Plan The Master Plan gives consideration to the development of a botanic garden at Parkside Gardens. This strategy was never implemented. Following the formation of the Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Steering Committee in May 2000, a letter (June 2000) was written to individual councillors to inform them of our intention to approach them in relation to the deterioration of the site and to seek a community partnership with them to restore the land and waterways. Our aim also included support to the lessees of the remaining educational local cultural and tourist attractions - the Bangerang Keeping Place, Philippine House and Museum and the restoration of the Chinese cultural heritage structures and gardens. Also in this letter, we advised Councillors of our intention to register the former International Village within a Heritage Study undertaken by City of Greater Shepparton and project managed by Eric Braslis. (June 2000). Believing that the former International Village has significant heritage as a place of cultural importance to our city and its residents, Committee members Kevin and Peg Jordan attended this public meeting to register the site. However, despite numerous phone calls to Mr Braslis over following weeks, there was never any feedback from this process. I have been unable to obtain any report from this first Heritage Study to this time. The Steering Committee wrote to Council to organise a meeting with councillors in August 2000 to discuss the aims - only to be told that Council had 'not decided the future of the Gardens'! We now understand clearly that the Council agenda was always to develop the historically significant former International Village site as another private residential area. Our membership commenced in October 2000 at a large family fun day conducted at the site. Members joining on that day and to this date in 2004 are registered Friends of Parkside Gardens. Membership includes persons aged from seven to ninety years of age. Philippine, Chinese, Polish, Slovenian, Dutch, Greek, Italian, Australian and British cultures are represented within our membership. We aim to encompass the broader community with all of our actions to retain this cultural and significant site now thirty years old. The challenge for all of us, which has continued on since May 2000, has been enormous and costly - one which community stakeholders should not have to argue and debate with the elected Council. Unfortunately the integrity of the site continued to be damaged by the ruthless destruction of the Chinese pavilion in February 2000 and the Council's early morning demolition in May 2002 of the Chinese pagoda, moongate and bridge - much valued and treasured icons to the whole community. Association membership, which is ever growing, now stands at 200 and we have many groups and organisations supporting our efforts both physically and financially. To become a member, individual memberships have now risen to $10 per annum and renewals will also be set at this rate for 2004/05. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Mechanics Institute Wyndham Street Shepparton - 7:30pm and 8pm in daylight saving time. Come and join the fantastic work being undertaken by the Friends of Parkside Gardens in order to protect our beautiful 20 hectare site, which includes surrounding waterways, for our broad community and future generations to enjoy. Join us if you wish to support this significant issue. It is a great way to meet people interested in the preservation of a vibrant, healthy multi-cultural community asset in Greater Shepparton.

Greater Shepparton Botanic Garden Ass. Inc.