Late last year we told you a story about our donation of more than 50 bicycles, scooters and other equipment to the charity, Life Without Barriers. An article appeared in this week’s Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser updating the story and providing completion of a successful and heartwarming project.

A quick bit of background…

Two lucky kids came to Centennial Park to pick out their bikes and help with the handover!

Every year Centennial Parklands collects a lot of lost property, or left items, that remain unclaimed. After holding items for 6 to 12 months (depending on the type of item), we then dispose of items appropriately. On this occasion, we had a large collection of bicycles and scooters which had remained in our back storage for 12 months. Some were in good condition, some in deteriorating or poor condition.

How to best dispose of items is always a challenging decision. We view landfill disposal as the last resort option, so began a hunt to find a good cause and a new home for the many bikes and scooters. This year we came across the organisation, Life Without Barriers. Their work and their cause seemed to fit the bill, so we contacted them.

The Life Without Barriers team were delighted, however were not able to collect, clean and repair any items that were not in top condition.

We needed some help!

Step forward the bankers!

Some generous staff from ANZ Bank came to the Parklands and cleaned the bikes and scooters for us (read about it here). The handover of the bikes, scooters and equipment was then organised, with good condition items finding immediate homes.

What of the equipment that needed some restoration?

Step forward the Airds/Bradbury Men’s Shed! Instead of telling you about it, you can read the Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser article below:

Article from Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser (F2 network)

Our thanks!

We are delighted that this project has now been completed, and a difference has been made in the lives of some of our youngest and most vulnerable kids. We would like to thank the following groups and organisations for their part in this project:

• Life Without Barriers
• Centennial Parklands Foundation
• Staff from ANZ Bank
• Airds/Bradbury Men’s Shed
• Centennial Parklands Rangers

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Lost an item of property in Centennial Parklands? We have repatriated hundreds of items with their owners annually. If you lose an item in Centennial Parklands, the first advice is to (if you haven’t left the Parklands) retrace your steps or place that you were sitting.

Secondly, phone or visit the Parklands Office or Visitor Information Counter in Centennial Park. We can then reunite you with your possession if they are handed in by other park visitors or found by Parklands Rangers.

The winner of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2013 has now been announced. We were very proud that one of the finalist entries in this year’s competition has a distinctly Centennial Parklands theme!

Late last year, as part of a volunteer photography project by staff at IBM, photographer Mirek Rzadkowski snapped this portrait of the former Centennial Parklands Foundation Executive Officer, Peter Hadfield:

National Photographic Portrait Prize finalist – by Mirek Rzadkowski

This portrait of Peter was chosen as a finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, and stands amongst the many wonderful images that made the cut.

The IBM Volunteer Photography Project

As part of our ongoing corporate volunteer program, IBM Australia have been a great partner on a range of technological and innovative projects. The photography project, however, sprang out of a casual conversation about Centennial Park’s 125th Anniversary, and some of the more administrative challenges we face (this one relating to the cost of maintaining an up-to-date and high quality image library).

While the discussion led to a project investigating electronic filing of images, it also generated a very enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteer staff members from IBM dusting off their cameras and heading out into the Parklands (we plan to showcase these mamy stunning images shortly).

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Corporate volunteering is an increasingly important and exciting area in which Centennial Parklands can offer many experiences and opportunities. Our recent blog post gives a bit more background on this, and we would be happy to hear from any organisation looking at team building and corporate volunteering opportunities.

Conservation Volunteers Australia has now vacated the Ranger’s Residence in Centennial Park and completed its move to the Parklands Depot. The Ranger’s Residence will now remain vacated until planning begins on its future use.

Backstory #1: What is Conservation Volunteers Australia?

Conservation volunteers working on a pond restoration project in Centennial Park, 2012

Conservation Volunteers Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that has partnered with individuals, businesses and governments in the conservation of Australia’s unique environment since 1982. They believe in a healthy and sustainable environment, and for everyone to be involved in managing and protecting that environment.

Since late 2010, Conservation Volunteers Australia has leased the Ranger’s Residence in Centennial Park as its NSW Head Office, and has delivered environmental volunteer projects across the Parklands and around NSW. Last year alone, Conservation Volunteers Australia delivered almost 900 hours of volunteer work in Centennial Parklands (see previous posts here and here), and have recently launched a Green Health initiative in Moore Park.

In an agreement with the Parklands, Conservation Volunteers Australia vacated the Ranger’s Residence at the completion of their lease period and have moved into newly refurbished office space within the Parklands Depot. This move will better allow us to consolidate and coordinate our volunteer activities across the Parklands.

Backstory #2: What is the Ranger’s Residence?

The Ranger’s Residence is a large family home, built on an elevated position on the western boundary of the park, with sweeping views across the park.

The cottage’s aspect, combined with its position adjacent to the Martin Road entrance gates, suggests that the role of the Head Ranger was both gatekeeper and surveillance.

The Centennial Park Ranger’s Residence backs onto Martin Road

Here’s a quick timeline history:

• 1898: plans for ‘a cottage’ were signed off by NSW Government Architect, Walter Vernon. The cottage was to replace an older building that occupied the site which had previously been condemned as unfit for further habitation.
• c1899: The Ranger’s Cottage at Centennial Park was built as accommodation for the Head Ranger (and family) in c1899. The Department of Public Works Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 1899 recorded that £215 pounds had been spent in this financial year on erecting the cottage, but that it remained incomplete. The following year, the Department’s Annual Report recorded that £739 12s and 1d had been expended to complete the building.
• Early-1900s: front verandah added to the building (exact date is unknown), perimeter fence and garage at rear also added during this time.
• 1971: significant renovations carried out by Department of Public Works including the installation of a new bathroom (replacing the pantry), demolition of the existing bathroom, a new kitchen, and resetting of posts and slabs on the front porch.
• 1989: the existing garage to the rear of the cottage was built by the Department of Public Works, with a terra-cotta tile roof to match the residence.
• 2000: the roof tiles of the Residence were replaced due to damage caused by the severe hailstorms of 1999.
• 2007: the last Park Ranger moved out of the Ranger’s Residence (the building had been occupied continuously by a park ranger from c1899 until 2007).
• 2010: major refurbishment completed and perimeter fence reinstated; Conservation Volunteer Australia lease the building for office space.
• 2013: Conservation Volunteer Australia vacate the building, which will remain vacant while a future use is determined.

What will be the future of this building?

In mid-2013 we will be commencing the Centennial Park Master Plan process. The future use and adaption of the Ranger’s Residence will be considered as part of this process. As a self-funded public parklands, our objective will be to create a sustainable revenue stream from the building to help support the management and maintenance of the whole Parklands.

- posted by Craig Easdown

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Conservation Volunteers Australia is currently seeking community support for its Green Health project in Moore Park. See here for all the details. Go on, get your hands dirty and help make these Parklands beautiful!

Have you ever stood looking at a spectacular landscape and had the urge to try sketch it? Have you ever wanted to try landscape sketching but don’t know where to start? We’re here to help with a brand new opportunity in Centennial Parklands – landscape sketching with our wonderful volunteer, Marie Dalliston.

Enjoy all that Centennial Park has to offer through the exciting medium of drawing!

Absolutely no drawing experience needed to participate as the program is suitable for all levels. You will challenge your perceptions of what drawing is and develop dynamic drawings, in a supported environment.

Experimentation and collaboration will be emphasised in order to push your drawings into new and exciting directions. You will improve your drawing skills through exchanging and sharing your experiences with other participants, facilitated by Marie.

OK, when are these sessions on?

As part of our program to celebrate Centennial Park’s 125th Anniversary, Marie will be running free drawing sessions throughout Autumn on:

• 6 March 2013 (as part of our Parks Week 2013 celebrations)
• 20 March 2013
• 3 April 2013
• 17 April 2013
• 1 May 2013
• 15 May 2013

All sessions begin at 9.30am, and are around two hours in duration.

Great, how do I join in?

Find the full information and booking details on the Centennial Parklands website.

All sessions are free, but bookings are still required.

Now, who is Marie Dalliston?

Marie Dalliston and her recent painting of a Black Swan

We asked Marie to provide a bit of background on herself, so over to Marie:

I have always had a bent for art, it has been my religion and passion since I can remember. I enjoy art history, read artist’s biographies and have formally studied the evolution of Art Styles and Art Movements.

I travelled to Europe in my 20s and followed the art trail across the continent visiting iconic museums and galleries. When I returned home I set about obtaining a Degree in Interior Design followed with a Associate Diploma in Ceramics and Naturopathy.

Art has carried and held me through the many stages of my life. I never tire of it. It’s a place where I can dwell for hours with complete focus and excitement and never-ending wonder, to create, to feel full of joy and sated!

After winning First Place in the Randwick City International Women’s Day Art Prize in 2008, I have continued my painting with more vigour and have travelled to art retreats in exotic places such as Morocco and Fiji.

In Sydney, I attended weekly life drawing groups and “Drawing in the city at night” around Newtown’s Cafe venues, and studied metal plate acid etching at Bondi Art School.

Marie plans to create enough art from Centennial Park to host an exhibition in 2013!

My aspirations have been simply to express my experiences and thoughts as much at time permits. Over the past two years my intention has been to bring to notice our magnificently unique and fragile environment that we share, and are part of, not separate from.

Whether it’s in our garden environs, down the local beach or our reserves and National Parks, these outside spaces are wonderful inspiration.

My approach has been to bring to attention our magnificently unique and fragile environment that we share and are part of – not separate from.

My current project is to draw and paint in beautiful Centennial Park in Sydney. I am looking to build a body of work for an exhibition later in the year. As part of this I will be running a free drawing program throughout Autumn 2013.

I have fond childhood memories of Centennial Park and am once again immersed in its beauty. Come and join me!

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This isn’t the only artistic opportunity available for you in Centennial Parklands this Autumn, we also have photography workshops and a photography festival! Find out what’s on in Centennial Parklands on our website, or download our program in PDF. Alternately, download our iPhone app, which has a built-in Events Calendar so you can find out what’s on anytime, anywhere!

Today is a special day in the corporate world, and it is not about the work that is done inside the office but the work that is done outside…and voluntarily.

Celebrated each year on the fourth Monday in February, today is International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD), which is an international advocacy day intended to build awareness of corporate-community partnerships, and to inspire businesses around the world to engage further.

How does this day tie in with Centennial Parklands?

Volunteering is one of the life bloods of Centennial Parklands. As a self-funded public parkland we are reliant on the community’s support and corporate volunteering contributions to help us carry out tasks that we are not always able to carry out on our own day-to-day.

In 2012, 38 companies volunteered in the Parklands contributing 1,684 hours of maintenance work. This in turned saved the Parklands over $30,000!

Some of the fantastic work achieved over the year included:

• 1.93 km of heritage horse fence repainted
• 14 large park picnic benches repainted
• Over 50 lost property bicycles cleaned and repaired which were provided to charity

What can an organisation expect when volunteering in the Parklands?

Makes a change to sitting at the desk!

Our corporate volunteering programs are like no other in Sydney. We are close to the city, have ample parking and provide opportunities for all types of businesses and organisations – large and small.

During the day away from your office, you can choose from activities such as heritage fence and parklands furniture painting, planting, weeding, mulching, litter pickup and even corporate fishing programs. We also receive support through Conservation Volunteers Australia who bring corporate volunteer groups through Centennial Parklands and work on projects allocated by us.

Our qualified and experienced staff will meet, greet and induct your team on site, and provide all the equipment and training necessary for a safe volunteering experience. All you have to do is turn up on the day – with appropriate clothing, gloves, a hat and sunscreen! We even provide an exclusive gas barbeque for you and your team to have a team lunch by one of the ponds while you enjoy the scenic beauty of the Parklands.

Corporate volunteering will benefit your organisation!

Corporate volunteering in a place such as Centennial Parklands provides teams with the opportunity to further engage senior management, employees and not-for-profit partners to participate in a worthwhile program, while teams work on fostering stronger relationships across sectors and social interaction outside the confines of an office.

On the flip-side, through corporate volunteer programs, we here at the Parklands are able to achieve and complete far more than could be achieved otherwise – resulting in environmental and social benefits to the whole community. So it is a win-win for all really!

We truly value the corporate support received by organisations who volunteer in the Parklands as it really is important in sustaining our environment.

A great team bonding experience!

This sounds great! So how do I volunteer my organisation?

Easy! Contact the Parklands Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 9339 6699 or email info@centennialparklands.com.au and we will find a date and time that suits you and your team.

We look forward to hearing from you!

A big thank you!

We would like to thank the following companies that volunteered in the Parklands last year:

• AMP Capital Investors
• ANZ
• ANZ E-Trade
• Broadcast Australia
• BT
•  Canon
• Commonwealth Bank Australia
• Cisco
• Crow Howarth
• Deloitte
• Ernst & Young
• Fuji Xerox
• Google
• Grain Corp
• IBM
• JP Morgan
• Laing O’Rourke
• Lexis Nexis
• Marsh Group
• MLC
• NAB
• NetApp Australia
• Oracle
• PwC
• Rabobank
• Suncorp/Vero
• Taverner Research
• Telstra
• VM Ware
• Wentworth Courier
• Westpac
• XL Insurance
• Aztec Australia
• DHL
• Dolby Australia
• Experian
• GE Capital
• One Path