Last week, I wrote about the fight for the International Village up to 2000. By this time, the site had been allowed to deteriorate. In my opinion, the council of that time had shown little respect for the countries that had contributed — or for almost 11 years of passionate care offered by the Shepparton Rotary Club.
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Council had renamed the site and quite clearly wanted a housing estate to replace it. It had commissioned a report by landscape architect Elizabeth Peck that made it clear the site was suitable for botanic gardens, which could co-exist with what was left of the International Village. It appears that this report was buried, as it had failed to support council’s decision.
What did we have at this point?
There were 27.2 hectares (60 acres) available. Roads and bridges had been constructed; a moat, which would enhance the gardens, surrounded 12.7 hectares. Electricity and water were connected. It also contained a picnic/barbecue area, a kiosk/restaurant, several buildings representing various cultures, a rose garden planted by local groups and a popular children’s playground.
If we were ever to have botanic gardens, surely this was a cost-effective way to proceed — a perfect site.
The Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Association adopted the name ‘Friends of Parkside Gardens’ in its continuation of the fight for a sensible solution, and the people of Shepparton were writing to council, signing petitions and doing all they could to assist.
December 2000
Council issued a press release that included a plan for 83 blocks of land. The committee responded, highlighting community concerns about the cultural buildings and emphasising the suitability of the site for botanic gardens.
2001
Council requested the community put forward plans for the future development of the site. The committee forwarded a substantial booklet entitled A community project for the 21st century. It included a detailed and professional plan by another landscape architect, plus all of the reasons for keeping what was left of the village and adding botanic gardens. A brief submission from Vic Urban was also received.
At the annual general meeting of the Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Association, Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens manager Richard Barley supported the association’s goals. The site was indeed suitable. “Most garden developers could only dream of having something like this to work with,” Mr Barley said.
Three councillors were present at the meeting.
2002
Council resolved to develop North Shepparton Parkside Gardens into a public housing estate. Everything that had been said or done or written had been ignored.
2003
Victorian Local Government and Public Housing Minister Candy Broad visited to announce the new development.
The Local Government Act 189 (2)(a) ensures that public notice is given before selling or exchanging land. It was not known at that time that Ms Broad had granted an exemption to Greater Shepparton City Council.
There were protests and petitions, and funds were raised to engage expert assistance. Without exception, our local members of parliament were doing all they could. Jeanette Powell submitted petitions to parliament (which had also been submitted to council). Wendy Lovell was active and, in retirement, Peter Ross-Edwards was far from silent on the issue.
2004
At this point, Jenny Houlihan, who was one of the many heroes of this story, submitted extensive information to the Heritage Council of Victoria to have the entire site listed and, therefore, protected.
I take a walk
I’ve just taken a long walk (long for me, anyway) after reading an article published in this newspaper in May 2004.
The mayor of our city said she did not see the heritage authority’s comments that Parkside Gardens’ integrity had been “seriously compromised with the loss and removal of many of its built elements” as criticism of previous councils’ decision to remove some of the buildings from the former International Village.
“If anything, it is a criticism of all the community groups that haven’t been able to keep the interest in all of the buildings,” she said.
I don’t understand! Who was the heritage council blaming? Did our mayor expect the Rotary Club to continue to do council’s work for ever? Was she blaming the community groups that were fighting to save the site? People who gave their time, money, passion and commitment to our city — not to mention their hearts and souls — for so many years. Were they also expected to maintain the buildings, keep the vandals under control, take care of the moat and mow the grass?
Of course, the heritage council was being critical of previous councils — because they were missing in action. They were wrong; they completely lacked vision and didn’t seem to understand that to make money, you usually need to spend some.
Gaining a heritage overlay or listing is not easy. It’s a serious and important business.
Following visits and inspections, late in September, the heritage council recommended local heritage protection for Parkside Gardens — for the entire site — because it was “historically and socially significant to the local community”. It therefore recommended to council that the site should be protected under council’s planning scheme.
The Bangerang Cultural Centre was listed on the Victorian heritage listings. There had been some talk of moving it elsewhere, so protection was imperative. The Philippine House has a heritage overlay.
In November, heritage council registrations committee chair Krystal Buckley said, “Without the protection of our local heritage, the history of this state would be severely diminished, and the heritage council does not make this recommendation lightly”.
She criticised Greater Shepparton City Council for ignoring the heritage value of Parkside Gardens.
“It is of concern to us that a heritage study of the site was only undertaken by the City of Greater Shepparton after the Friends of Parkside Gardens had nominated it for the state register.”
The council chose to go ahead with a housing development across the entire site.
2005
Jenny Houlihan was elected to council — and continued to advocate for botanic gardens.
2011
It had been a long and difficult journey, and the telling of it had been far from easy.
Finally, however, the landfill site at Kialla was presented to the community as a potential site. The secretary of the Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Association put in a submission for that site to be a botanic garden opportunity for Greater Shepparton — and that its members could provide the voluntary and professional knowledge necessary.
Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton was born. The ‘friends’ handed over to the Australian Botanic Garden Shepparton Friends Committee. Here, at long last, was a win and a celebration.
What we now have is a council-owned project, which has become a popular community asset — and, importantly, a tourist destination.
Long may it thrive!
The hard-working team is always looking for volunteers. If you would like to help out, here is a link to Friends of Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton: https:fabgs.org.au/get-involved/
2024
It is nice to read that the Victorian Department of Health has expressed interest in buying the remains of Parkside Gardens, although there have been a few sales of land recently (to council’s financial benefit).
I am indebted to two people who have assisted with my work for the past two weeks. Pat and Jenny have patiently answered dozens of questions, shared their lived experience and supplied beautiful photos. And I would like to thank the many, many people who fought and lost and fought again. Shepparton owes you a great deal.
You will find the entire story on Facebook. Search for ‘International Gardens’.
Leadership
There is an old joke about leadership that I used to find funny.
‘A leader looks out of the window to see the townsfolk marching in the street. He says, “Let’s find out where they are going so I can lead them”.’
But is it so ridiculous? What if our leadership in the 1980s had adopted that attitude? What if they’d said:
“What is your dream? How can we help you?”
Think of what Shepparton would have today.
However, it is best not to dwell on it. Regret is useless. Let’s concentrate on what we have. Let’s be grateful for our city and the wonderful people who call it home.
May it be easy, my friends
Marnie,
Email: Towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.
Phone: Send a text to 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back if you wish.)
Town Talk