Greater Shepparton Botanic Garden Ass.Inc

Hello Friends of Parkside Gardens !

Latest news !

First week of winter and the bit of rain is most welcome. The Association's 4th Birthday was held at Parkside Gardens last Sunday, with about 35 braving the cold with fish and chips tucked under their arms. Lovely day, and everyone happy with the talk of Heritage recommendations.

Trees still beautiful in colour though shedding their leaves. Large group of Iraqi people enjoying the barbeque area, but we sheltered in the Philippine House which is always a great venue for young and old.

Jeanette and Ian Powell enjoyed the day with us thanking the Friends on behalf of the many people who come into her office, and at social occasions, who are pleased with the ongoing efforts to save this historically significant site. We, in turn, thanked her for her continuing support to us in Parliament and with Ministers involved with the sorry long-standing saga.

It should never have come to this if Council had carried out the Commissioner's final resolve, and their own of 1997, to retain and enhance this site for the public to enjoy. A community partnership could have supported and maintained the site in its pristine condition.

Recently we have shown a video used for tourism purposes of the former Village (November 1993, two months after severe north end flooding)! 33,000 visitors passed through the entrance in 1994. The Planning Panel Chairman commented, after visiting Parkside Gardens during the February Panel Hearings: "What a sad demise for such a beautiful place!"

Heritage Victoria have a copy with the March nomination materials, and the visiting official John Hawker said : "I have watched it twice!" He was most impressed by the waterways design, and fortunately we have been given the 1970s master plan, and the name of the prestigious architects of the unique designs. Both officers were impressed by the Bangerang Cultural Centre and Philippine Museum, speaking with the Cultural Officer and Edith Dizon-Fitzsimmons during their visit.

The Parliamentary Ministers were also impressed to see the video when Jeanette Powell escorted our deputation in May. Minister Delahunty commented on the fantastic project as it was before destruction of the international displays. Heritage Victoria's Chief Executive Ray Tonkin was also present at this deputation hearing, just prior to the recommendations.

Thank you to those of you who have contributed much treasured archival materials for the Heritage Victoria nomination. Jenny Houlihan would appreciate anything others may have to put towards the Friends submission due by 16th July.

Photo Board - "I or We support Heritage Victoria listing for Parkside Gardens."

Personal, family or group photos will be displayed in Centrepoint Arcade over the coming weeks. You are invited to drop these into Jenny as supporters of the Heritage Victoria listing for our Parkside Gardens. Can be memories of the Village or current pics anywhere.

Our campaign is revitalised with enthusiasm as we believe that community concerns have finally been recognised after the hard and costly experience of the Council requested Ministerial appointed Panel Hearings in February.

The significance of the history and heritage of the International Village is documented in Heritage Victoria's recommendation to Council to include the site in the local heritage overlay. In the early 70s it is described as a 'visionary project'..conceived at a time when multiculturalism as an idea was in its infancy acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of many cultural groups in Shepparton.

The IV Project, in its inclusiveness and vision, represents a unique civic and community response in Victoria, if not Australia, to the post-war mass migration program which had profound effects on Australian society.

This recommendation highlights the validity of the community's expressed concerns, petitions and submissions to Council, over the past six years. These requests to Council as the Responsible Authority, our elected managers of the site, are to protect the site for future generations since the Village closure. We are now an ever-growing population of many and diverse nationalities in Greater Shepparton. Approximately 60,000 these days!

Panel Report

We were extremely disappointed with the Report which in no way reflected the community's submissions on either a social or environmental impact level.

Though defined as matters to be dealt with, the Panel's deliberations were to do with whether the site could in fact be developed for the proposed Council/ VicUrban proposed 150plus housing allotments. Of course, much money has been spent to support both Council and VicUrban's opinion that it can and will be!

There has never been any broad public consultation about the demise of our valued socially, historically significant parkland with any of the key stakeholders- 'our community'.

The Report however has several matters to be attended to before the Minister signs off - if it comes to that! Who would wish to build on filled in waterways, so close to the essential noises of DECA,s operations?! These are just two examples. It will truly be a case of 'Let the buyer beware!' if residential plans go ahead.

As Friend Joan Guymer writes in her submission:

"Those who dare to pursue a dream may end up achieving something even greater".

Get those Heritage Victoria submissions rolling in!!!

Contact us: Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Assn Inc.

Chairperson: Bill Brown 58217569 email:poppy1@iinet.net.au

Secretary: Pat Moran 58214846 email:moranpat@cv.quik.com.au

GSBGA postal: 5 Gina Crt, Shepparton 3630