Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to take this opportunity to put on the public record a wonderful project that involves young people in my electorate of Franklin. In August of this year it was my pleasure to launch the Cygnet Heritage, Culture and Community Green Corps Project at Burtons Reserve. Cygnet is a major centre of the Huon Valley, located 56 kilometres south of Hobart. As part of the Green Corps project, a team of young southern Tasmanians will preserve, conserve and restore Cygnet’s environmental and cultural heritage. Under the guidance of their team leader, Mr Rod Munro, the team will spend 26 weeks improving the presentation and grounds of the Cygnet Living History Museum, the Community Children’s Centre, Bridge Cottage, the community garden and the Port Cygnet Conservation Area. The activities include minor repairs to heritage buildings; landscaping of grounds, including the establishment of raised garden beds for access by those with disabilities; and researching historical information about the buildings in the context of Cygnet’s history.

Team members will be able to make valuable contacts with members of the local community and will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to local employers. It is an ideal community project that will foster an interest in local history and the local environment and will also develop a sense of ownership among local participants. I wish the project team every success and thank and congratulate all of the project partners in the community. I know that they and the Cygnet community will stand to benefit greatly from this work.

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