Greater Shepparton Botanic Garden Ass.Inc

How to make a submission for Parkside Gardens to Heritage Victoria

Heritage Victoria has recommended that the entire Parkside Gardens site including its unique lake and moat system be included on the Local Heritage Overlay in the Greater Shepparton City Council's planning scheme. The reason for this recommendation is:

While Parkside Gardens has considerable local significance for its historical and social associations with the diverse cultural groups in Shepparton and local technical significance, its integrity has been seriously compromised with the loss and removal of many of its built elements.

Thus its consideration as a place of state significance has been detrimentally affected. However, with it lake and moat system, remaining landscape elements and buildings such as the Philippine House and Bangerang Cultural Centre which remain in community use, it is a site of cultural heritage significance to Shepparton.
(17 May 2004 -Heritage Victoria)

We are extremely pleased that the Bangerang Cultural Centre has been recommended for Victorian Heritage listing, and disappointed that the Philippine House and Museum received only local heritage overlay recommendation.

However, Friends and supporters of Parkside Gardens believe that the entire site, despite Council's destruction and removal of some of the buildings over the past six years, should still qualify for the Victorian Heritage Register and that it holds great historical and cultural significance for Victoria's multicultural population and our national and international visitors. Since 1973, the International Village Project has provided a unique place and large public setting for gathering and sharing of the many Australian and ethnic customs and cultures. This unique site should be preserved for future generations.

HOW TO LODGE A SUBMISSION BY 16 JULY 2004 AT 12 NOON

Letters may be hand-written or typed:

MAIL TO: Registrations Co-ordinator

Heritage Victoria

Nauru House,

80 Collins Street

MELBOURNE 3000 OR FAX: 9655 9720

For further information phone Joanne Boyd on 9566 9730 or email joanne.boyd@dse.vic.gov.au

SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER:

PARKSIDE GARDENS - THE ENTIRE PRECINCT

Why it is historically significant - not only locally but also to Victorian Heritage.

Why it is unique - pointing out the importance of the social and cultural links to migration and multiculturalism since the early 1970s. Despite the destruction and removal of some built elements, the site remains unique to the diverse history of Victorian migration.

Describe your own experience of the former International Village to support the Heritage Listing.

Attach any copies of photos, mementos of festivities or activities, voluntary/ work efforts to establish or maintain the former Village site.

Keep a copy of your submission, also a copy would be appreciated for the Friends of Parkside Gardens files. You may drop a copy of your letter in to: Jenny Houlihan The Living Room, Centrepoint, Corner of Maude and Vaughan Streets Shepparton.