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Tidy Towns Award for Turning the Pages
Last modified: November 3, 2009 - 12:02 AM
THE innovative Turning the Pages environmental education project in Murrurundi was awarded a Highly Commended Prize in the Wildlife Habitats and Environmental Conservation Section of the 2009 Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities awards held in Tamworth on the weekend.
The project also won a Local Government Cultural Award in 2008 as a successful combination of environment, community, art and science to celebrate the significance of the Pages River. It also won a 2009 Champions of the Catchment Education Award.
The project aims to promote community awareness and appreciation of the geological, biological and cultural history of the Pages River - a highlight was the 160 metre long art installation ‘River Quiver' created in conjunction with six local schools.
A ‘Bridge to Bridge' nature walk that will feature local plants and grasses with interactive signage, interpretive artworks by regional artists from around the region, natural science information kiosks, picnic areas, and children's corners is being planned.
The project has also resulted in the creation of a management plan for the Upper Pages River, rehabilitation works such as removal of weeds and revegetation, and a proposal for a permanent sculpture.
Upper Hunter Shire Council Mayor Lee Watts said the project had raised awareness about the Pages River.
"Murrurundi Public School has formed a Water Watch Group with regular water testing undertaken, and Murrurundi Landcare Group has reformed as Murrurundi Landcare-Tidy Towns Group, while Murrurundi Arts Council has formed a sub-committee to investigate funding for a permanent 3-D installation," Cr Watts said.
"The project has proven to be a very relevant focal point for the community, bringing a diverse range of groups and organisations and people of all ages together for a project that has immediate local benefits," Cr Watts said.
"Council looks forward to continuing to support all components of this project," she said.
The Turning the Pages group will celebrate its second anniversary with a light lunch at the RSL Hall in Murrurundi from 10am on Thursday November 19.
The program will include an address by Upper Hunter Shire Councillor Pam Seccombe and the official launch of stage two of the project - Confluence.
There will be a presentation by the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Hunter Councils Environmental Division, which will make a presentation to schools who participated in stage one of Turning the Pages.
Local schools participating in Turning the Pages will present results from recent workshops and river excursions.
Chairperson Hanna Kay said Stage Two of Turning the Pages would begin in 2010 with a program of interactive workshops that would inform the design of the Bridge to Bridge River Walk and associated artistic and environmental features.
Visit http://www.turningthepages.com.au/ for more information.
Contact details
Upper Hunter Shire Council
Tel: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
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