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Transcript of Honor Thwaites Park Proposal



Proposal for a PEACE AND FREEDOM NATURE PARK behind the AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL


A special nature park could be created, regenerated and preserved on the land immediately behind the Australian War Memorial. The area envisaged would be that extending from behind the Campbell High School, across to Cobby Street Campbell, and extending up the hill as far as the proposed Monash Drive. The land has attractive natural contours and rock formations, from which there are delightful vistas of Parliament House, the National Library and so on, across the lake with the high mountains in the background. The natural flora are slowly regenerating, but there is a good deal of intrusion from weeds, litter in the creek beds etc. There is a great variety of bird life, which could be encouraged by further appropriate planting of native shrubs and trees, and by more water coming into the existing creek beds.

Many tourists, who otherwise just visit the Memorial and go, could be intrigued by the concept of the nature park as part of the central axis between Capital Hill and Mount Ainslie. It would also serve as an introduction to the surrounding region, leading naturally on to the longer trails and climbs.

The project could be one of community participation, but taking shape under the guidance and management of the Conservation and Agriculture Branch of the D.C.T.

Participation could start in the schools - helping to plant native trees and shrubs. There could be voluntary working parties under the direction of the rangers, cleaning out litter and weeds etc, so that the growth gradually becomes again 100 p.c. native flora, and the park would thus become an increasingly beautiful sample of the bushland in the area.

All this would afford an education, as well as an acceptable form of recreation, resulting in a growing sense of identification with, and responsibility for the environment, guarding against fire, vandalism, etc.

A number of community groups with appropriate interests would also have the opportunity to be involved in the project, e.g.: the National Parks Association, the Society for Growing Native Plants, the Scouts and Guides, and so on.

Students in subjects such as botany, entomology, biology etc. could get as voluntary guides and information officers when required.

The nature park would have a three-fold purpose :

(a) An introduction to the wider environment

(b) For visitors and tourists with limited time, an immediate example of some of the natural features of the region

(c) An opportunity for the very young and the elderly, and those who could not climb the steeper slopes, to enjoy an easily accessible stretch of bushland in its natural state.

Such a development would be directly in line with the original recommendations of the Senate Select Committee on the A.C.T. 1955, referring to the educational and recreational resources to be preserved in the area.

Up till now planning for Canberra has been uniquely forward-looking. The concept of integrating the natural bushland with a growing city is so up-to-date.

Here Australia had been given a head start in the environmental issues now confronting humanity and we are still able to demonstrate this in no less a place than our national capital.

As a nation and a city we are due for another imaginative move, creative and non-mercenary. The more one becomes economy-minded, even necessarily so, the greater the need to keep alive the spirit of adventure and exploration. A great nature park would be something our generation could pass on to the next millennium. This ‘Peace and Freedom Nature Park' would link it with the War Memorial, as a symbol of the peace and freedom two generations of Australians risked and gave their lives to defend. The War Memorial then, as well as enshrining the past would stand as a gateway to the future.


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