Japanese artifacts in the former International Village, now Parkside Gardens in Greater Shepparton

The Association's response to the Mayor's comments within the media about replacement and display of the Japanese artefacts destroyed in the vandalism by burning of the Japanese Folk Museum in November 1997.

It was made public in July 2005 that insurance has been held within the Council coffers for many years and has accumulated interest in that time to an estimated amount of $146,000.

Why were the Japanese officials not advised at the time of the fire and the courtesy afforded to them of their wishes in relation to re-building, etc?

"The Japanese Folk Arts Museum not be rebuilt and that any insurance payout be directed towards the development and maintenance of an enhanced Japanese Garden on the existing site at Parkside Gardens and other expenses associated with the development of Parkside Gardens as an area of public open space."

The Mayor has been quoted 'NEWS' and 'The ADVISER' (27 July 2005) as saying that this resolution will require rescinding as it is now totally inappropriate to spend the money as resolved. Why??

Why no public consultation with the key stakeholders including the Greater Shepparton community?

The other question to Council is about the current storage of heritage items, and display of them in the future. e.g. Maltese water taxi, magnificent doors from the Chinese pavilion, etc. See a slide show of some of these valued and valuable items on this web-site.

GREATER SHEPPARTON BOTANIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION INC.

FRIENDS OF PARKSIDE GARDENS

Mayor Anne McCamish

Greater Shepparton City Council

Locked Bag 1000

Shepparton 3632

5th August 2005

Dear Anne,

Re – Replacement of Japanese artefacts

This letter is written to follow up on your comments in the NEWS on 20th July last, that it would be nice to get together with the Parkside Gardens people to do something about replacing the Japanese artefacts.

I am writing on behalf of those people who liaised for many years with the Japanese officials to achieve the building of the magnificent pavilion and accepted the gifted artefacts. Many local elders, indicating to us over the past five years their extreme disappointment with the deteriorated condition of the former pristine Village precinct, contributed to the archival material required for the Friends of Parkside Gardens Heritage Victoria nomination in March 2004.

Representatives of the Association would be pleased to meet with Council on this matter, and believe that it would be courteous to include representatives of the Rotary Club of Shepparton who worked so tirelessly to establish and maintain the Village until 1996.

The people who contributed to the collation of archives were: Lance Woodhouse, Arnold Gough (who may have a photographic display of the Japanese artefacts), Richard Trevaskis, Keppel Turnour, John Gerrard and Mrs Hilda McDougall who maintained a history of newspaper cuttings.

I will attach a copy of a small historical document about the Japanese Folk Arts Museum for your perusal. Many volunteers who tended the buildings and landscaped gardens over the twenty-three years prior to the Village de-commissioning, also contributed to our research last year.

Another issue for discussion relates to the storage of the precious gifted remnants of various international displays and other important gifts, which have been stored in the large shed earmarked for removal to Wanganui Park College. Will those items be suitably marked and displayed appropriately?

Friends of Parkside Gardens would appreciate your earliest response indicating a suitable time and place for a meeting.

Yours sincerely,

Pat Moran.

Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Ass.Inc

		The Association's response to the Mayor's comments within the media about replacement and display of the Japanese artefacts destroyed in the vandalism by burning of the Japanese Folk Museum in November 1997.
	The Association's response to the Mayor's comments within the media about replacement and display of the Japanese artefacts destroyed in the vandalism by burning of the Japanese Folk Museum in November 1997. It was made public in July 2005 that insurance has been held within the Council coffers for many years and has accumulated interest in that time to an estimated amount of $146,000. Why were the Japanese officials not advised at the time of the fire and the courtesy afforded to them of their wishes in relation to re-building, etc? Instead, Council, on 16th December 1997 resolved that: "The Japanese Folk Arts Museum not be rebuilt and that any insurance payout be directed towards the development and maintenance of an enhanced Japanese Garden on the existing site at Parkside Gardens and other expenses associated with the development of Parkside Gardens as an area of public open space." The Mayor has been quoted 'NEWS' and 'The ADVISER' (27 July 2005) as saying that this resolution will require rescinding as it is now totally inappropriate to spend the money as resolved. Why?? Why no public consultation with the key stakeholders including the Greater Shepparton community? The other question to Council is about the current storage of heritage items, and display of them in the future. e.g. Maltese water taxi, magnificent doors from the Chinese pavilion, etc. See a slide show of some of these valued and valuable items on this web-site. GREATER SHEPPARTON BOTANIC GARDENS ASSOCIATION INC. FRIENDS OF PARKSIDE GARDENS Mayor Anne McCamish Greater Shepparton City Council Locked Bag 1000 Shepparton 3632 5th August 2005 Dear Anne, Re – Replacement of Japanese artefacts This letter is written to follow up on your comments in the NEWS on 20th July last, that it would be nice to get together with the Parkside Gardens people to do something about replacing the Japanese artefacts. I am writing on behalf of those people who liaised for many years with the Japanese officials to achieve the building of the magnificent pavilion and accepted the gifted artefacts. Many local elders, indicating to us over the past five years their extreme disappointment with the deteriorated condition of the former pristine Village precinct, contributed to the archival material required for the Friends of Parkside Gardens Heritage Victoria nomination in March 2004. Representatives of the Association would be pleased to meet with Council on this matter, and believe that it would be courteous to include representatives of the Rotary Club of Shepparton who worked so tirelessly to establish and maintain the Village until 1996. The people who contributed to the collation of archives were: Lance Woodhouse, Arnold Gough (who may have a photographic display of the Japanese artefacts), Richard Trevaskis, Keppel Turnour, John Gerrard and Mrs Hilda McDougall who maintained a history of newspaper cuttings. I will attach a copy of a small historical document about the Japanese Folk Arts Museum for your perusal. Many volunteers who tended the buildings and landscaped gardens over the twenty-three years prior to the Village de-commissioning, also contributed to our research last year. Another issue for discussion relates to the storage of the precious gifted remnants of various international displays and other important gifts, which have been stored in the large shed earmarked for removal to Wanganui Park College. Will those items be suitably marked and displayed appropriately? Friends of Parkside Gardens would appreciate your earliest response indicating a suitable time and place for a meeting. Yours sincerely, Pat Moran.

Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Ass.Inc