President’s letter
GREETINGS TO ALL YOU WORTHY The Park Lands will not survive the WARRIORS FOR THE ADELAIDE PARK ravages of decades of spiritual neglect. LANDS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK We can sense the fragility of the Park It is wonderful to be in a State in a Capital Lands: vulnerable to ad-hoc opportunism; City where we enjoy the wonderful threatened by misguided exploitation that blessing of our Park Lands. is unable to value open space for its own beautiful ethos but regards it as a vacuum No other city has got or can get anything that requires stuffing with structures and to compare with our Park Lands. Can you things, or amputation of precious portions imagine the expense required by any of for hard surfaces or buildings to cater the deprived cities of the world to buy to the fad of the day—all destined to be back an area of suburbs surrounding their seriously questioned and lamented fifty or city centre even one quarter the size of so years hence. our Park Lands? Let alone attempting to match ours hectare by hectare! More people enjoying the pristine charms of the Park Lands = more people Not only can we revel in the iconic protecting them = more people of all ages uniqueness but we can enjoy them VALE involved in APPA. personally. For fun, exercise, romance, C Warren Bonython AO meditation, visual delight, family picnics, Ian Gilfillan organised sport—the Park Lands are so generous that we can all indulge without 11 September 1916—2 April 2012 falling over each other. They are so The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee generous that you can even get to be on Renowned South Australian explorer, conservationist and author, Warren your own if you so desire, a rare option in Sincere good wishes to Her Majesty other cities of the world. Bonython, supported APPA’s campaign Queen Elizabeth II on celebrating over 60 to save Victoria Park from the State APPA will be inviting people young and years of devoted service in fulfilment of a Government’s permanent multi-storey old to enjoy various aspects of the Park solemn pledge: motor sport structure. Adding his name Lands in gently organised incentives and I declare before you all that my whole to APPA’s Eminent Persons’ Statement, functions. life whether it be long or short shall be Warren attested to the fact that the Park We need more people, as they enjoy the devoted to your service and the service Lands: Park Lands, to realise the need to ensure of our great imperial family to which we are a priceless asset, held in trust for they continue in the centuries ahead for all belong. the people of both the City and our our descendants for many generations, Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) State. They must be protected—for the not just the spurious ‘next generation’! 21st birthday speech, 21 April 1947 citizens who enjoy them now, for the (Coronation Day speech, 2 June 1953, attention and praise they attract from From this awareness will come the urge also solemnly pledged service). around the world, and for generations for people to join APPA and help us fulfil to come. this obligation and destiny. The only previous Diamond Jubilee Parklands News, June 2007, p 9. celebrated by a British monarch took ISSUES ON THE TABLE place in 1897, when Queen Victoria The son of Sir John Lavington Bonython marked 60 years of her reign. (who also cherished William Light’s Adelaide High School expansion ambitions www.thediamondjubilee.org legacy of Park Lands), Warren was born Adelaide Oval demolition/expansion within cooee of the Park Lands and Alienated Park Lands subsequently enjoyed Victoria Park and Australian Heritage Strategy Queen’s Birthday 2012 Adelaide Hills Face views and vistas from Biodiversity survey Honours recognise St Corantyn, his parents’ home on East Britannia intersection land grab Terrace. Perhaps this played no small part Brownhill/Keswick Creek Stormwater Plan AGM Guest Speaker in nurturing Warren’s love of wide open Cirque du Soleil/Park 24 Event Venue Prof Graeme Hugo AO spaces and wilderness and, in 1984 when Dying elms and other trees; Adelaide Warren received the Royal Geographical Stadium missing yew and white cedar Congratulations to all recipients of Society’s John Lewis Gold Medal (for avenue Queen’s Birthday Honours, including Exploration), the citation was delivered by Land grabs at Adelaide High School site, APPA’s AGM Guest Speaker Professor Sir Walter Crocker (later Patron of APPA). railway yards, Adelaide Oval, Riverbank, Graeme Hugo who was recognised as an Bonython Park Officer of the Order of Australia: Warren made innumerable contributions ‘Purple water’ regime and damage to ensuring many generations’ enjoyment Riverbank ‘Project’ For distinguished service to of public open space, recreational and Royal Adelaide Show car parking population research, particularly conservation parks and walking trails, SACA, SANFL, AFL and Stadium the study of international migration, and our Association honours Warren’s Management Authority population geography and mobility, particular contribution to conserving the World Heritage listing and through leadership roles Adelaide Park Lands. We extend our with national and international Front and back cover photo: Ground heartfelt sympathy to his wife Bunty and organisations. zero at the River End of Adelaide ‘Oval’. family. Copyright K Henderson, 24 June 2012. For the full Queen’s Birthday 2012 Vale Warren, thank you for Inset (back cover): ‘What were parklands Honours List see http://www.gg.gov.au/ treasured memories and the inspiration of a life well-lived. Dad?’ The Advertiser, 10 November 1954, p 2. content.php/page/id/93.
Park LANDS News August 2012—2 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2012
APPA’s 25th Annual General Board members, and providing reports The Association’s Honorary Auditor, David Meeting was held on Sunday (available on APPA’s website); Carver, Managing Partner of BK Partners, Chartered Accountants, was formally 15 April at the North Adelaide • thanks to Gunta and Philip Groves thanked for his services and re-appointed for initiating and producing the 25th Community Centre in Tynte Street, for 2012–13. North Adelaide. anniversary edition of the Newsletter, and to Kyle Penick for maintaining an The meeting adopted the outgoing President Kelly Henderson as Chairperson Association archive that facilitated the committee’s recommendation that 2012– welcomed approximately 40 members newsletter’s compilation; presentation 13 contribution rates for the membership and introduced guest speaker Professor to Philip Groves of the publication year commencing 1 July 2012 be Graeme Hugo. Public Dollars, Private Stadiums: The maintained at 2011–12 levels. Battle over Building Sports Stadiums Professor Hugo’s address, entitled in appreciation of Philip’s myriad The new committee includes Ian Gilfillan ‘South Australia’s Changing Population: contributions to the aims of the as President, Brian Mitchell as Secretary, Some Implications and Challenges’, was Association and the defence of the Kelly Henderson, Luciana Larkin,1 Kyle supported by a Powerpoint presentation. Park Lands on his retiring as Deputy Penick, Hamish Ramsay and Michael Graeme fielded numerous questions from President and Treasurer. Sando as committee members. A special members, and former APPA President thank you to Luciana for providing an and Honorary Life Member, the Hon Ian Treasurer Philip Groves tendered the excellent morning tea. Gilfillan, made a presentation to Graeme Treasurer’s Annual Report for the financial on behalf of those attending. year ended 31 March 2012 and reported a Brian Mitchell Apologies were received from 15 surplus of $2126.45 for the year. members and the 2011 AGM Minutes (Members who would like the Income and 1. Luciana Larkin was appointed as the were received and formally approved. In Expenditure Statement and Balance Sheet Association’s Honorary Treasurer at the her address, President Kelly Henderson may request a copy from the Secretary.) 2012–13 committee’s first meeting. reported on Business Arising and delivered the President’s Report: • progress on World Heritage nomination proposal, attendance at WH South Australia’s Changing Population: Nomination update seminar, Australian National University, Canberra, and Some Implications and Challenges World Monuments Fund Heritage@ Risk Watch nomination (earthquake- With over 30 years’ experience in his damaged Provincial Buildings, field and more than 300 publications, Christchurch, NZ, the sole Australasian Professor Graeme Hugo drew from his site listed); extensive knowledge of population issues • SA History Week online exhibition to provide a thought-provoking and ‘Trashed or Treasured?’ and tour enlightening discussion of key aspects ‘Victoria Park’s Surprising Survivors’, of population change in South Australia, with thanks to Michael Sando and emphasising we Kathleen Patitsas; must keep the Park Lands as open • public meeting at Box Factory on space, not just parts of it, but also proposed destruction of Victoria Park have a look at novel and new ways of remnant native vegetation; discovery of creating other forms of open space in rare Copper Butterfly, and subsequent the middle suburbs ... commencement of a private criminal Speaking on the importance of a national prosecution of Adelaide City Council debate that engages the community, not under the National Parks and Wildlife only experts and government, Graeme Act 1974, and Native Vegetation Act made the point that the State’s 30-year 1991; Plan is a plan for expanding the number • Vale C Warren Bonython AO; of young households whereas in fact we • new threats: Ministerial Capital City are going to experience a massive growth Development Plan Amendment— of older households. Interim Operation 28 March 2012 prior to public consultation, and Adelaide A cartoonist’s humourous but telling City Council’s Draft Residential Growth depiction of this as the ‘Invasion of Policy; the Ageing Boomers: 40,000 of the “me” generation, and they all want hip • thanks to Hon Secretary Brian Mitchell, replacements’ drove home this point continuing Committee members, new as did the description of a university nominees, and APPA’s Patron; colleague referring to this as a ‘tidal wave’ • commendation of Adelaide Park or ‘tsunami’ of people moving into older Lands Authority Board member Gunta age-groups. Groves for actively defending the Park Above: Professor Graeme Hugo Explaining that population change is Lands, being an agent for positive addressing the Association’s AGM on enormously complex and discourse change, gaining support from other South Australia’s Changing Population, Continued p 4 15 April 2012. Park LANDS News August 2012—3 Continued from p 3 Governments have difficulty appreciating that the massive in Australia over-simplified, Australia’s growth will occur in older age groups population was described as ‘very ... that penny has not dropped federally or at a state level distinctive’ with ageing being our biggest population issue: • one of the world’s fastest growing Structural Ageing: South Australia: populations (only three Asian countries Change by Age: 2006–2021, 2006–2031 growing faster than Australia); Source: ABS Projections 2008, Series B, based on Jackson 2004 • one of the most urbanised, spatially concentrated, and mobile, with the 140 world’s highest rate of house moves 120 2006-2021 (1.81 m) (42.3% changed their place of residence 2001–06); 100 2006-2031 (1.95 m) • one of the most multicultural, 80 and increasingly distinct cultural differentiation; 60 • the baby boomer population (42% of 40 Australia’s workforce/44% of South 20 Australia’s workforce) not going to be replaced by young people is a very Percentage Change 0 significant factor we need to take into account. -20 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
Professor Hugo spoke about the 85+ two extremes of debate respectively Age ignoring economic and environmental imperatives, and need for a population the State’s 30-year plan is a plan for expanding the number policy which has some growth, but growth with real sustainability that is of young households also environmentally sustainable. —in fact that is going to be a very small part of growth Over the next 25 years (a period less —we are going to see a massive growth of older households than the State Government’s 30-year plan): we should be striving towards a future Australia which is • numbers aged 65+ will double; what Australians want, not what politicians want, • the proportion of the population aged and not what a handful of experts want 65+ will almost double; • characteristics of older population Professor Graeme Hugo, April 2012 will change, and where older people will live will change. Professor Hugo considered Australia Over the next couple better placed to face demographic The demography of households challenges of the next 2–3 decades than of decades nothing will (much planning is based on number any other OECD country. Most importantly, impact OECD economies of households rather than number of there is a need for an informed national more profoundly than people) is rapidly changing with several discussion inclusive of all groups, and for major trends: careful planning of population strategy demographic trends and, • number of households is increasing balancing need for some growth with chief among them, ageing faster than the population; environmental constraints. Jean-Philippe Cotis, Chief Economist, • decreasing in size and increasing in Kelly Henderson OECD, March 2005 complexity; • increasing size of housing and decreased lot size. Cirque du Soleil contacts South Australia is exceeding 2007 State Strategic Plan Population Targets: Corporate Headquarters: 8400 2nd Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H1Z 4M6, CANADA • Target 1.22 Total Population Senior Director, Public Relations: Renée-Claude Ménard, Email: [email protected] Chantal Côté, Email: [email protected] 2 million by 2050 with interim target Corporate PR Manager: of 1.64 million by 2014, currently Global Citizenship: Gil Favreau Email: [email protected] 1.64 million and projected 2050 OVO in Adelaide: Kylie Brown/Katie Gleeson, Look Both Ways (08) 8301 2407 population of 2,551,525 if current rate is maintained; Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer: Guy Laliberté President and Co-Chief Executive Officer: Daniel Lamarre • Target 1.24 Overseas Migration Vice-Presidents: Gilles Ste-Croix; Éric Fournier Net overseas gain to be 8,500 by 2014, currently 15,731; General Manager: Aldo Giampaolo Directors: Dominic Champagne; René Richard Cyr; Fernand Rainville; David Shiner; • Target 1.25 Fertility Robert Lepage; Deborah Colker; Gilles Maheu; Francois Girard; Jamie King; Maintain at 1.7, currently 1.90. Vincent Paterson; Franco Dragone; Criss Angel
Park LANDS News August 2012—4 [Car]Park 24: Boycott of Cirque du Soleil
After years of using Bonython Responding to council’s Cirque du of Cirque du Soleil.15 Cirque du Soleil Park, Port Road, Cirque du Soleil Soleil 2012 OVO and 10-year agreement trumpets its International Headquarters as proposes to occupy Park 24, north consultation, APPA cited Cirque du Soleil’s being located where it: of Sir Donald Bradman Drive— appalling track record in Bonython Park; could have the greatest possible the 2005 Lord Mayoral suggestion for giving rise to calls for a boycott. positive influence ... to take an active relocation to Wayville Showgrounds; Park part in the rehabilitation of ... one of In July—after APPA’s June 2012 Media 24 event degradation; unsustainable the biggest urban waste disposal sites Release opposed Cirque du Soleil commercial high-impact use; conflicts in North America.16 bitumising Park Lands—the Montreal of interest, and Council’s ‘breathtakingly company’s Senior Director of Public hypocritical’ mixed messages on car In Adelaide, Cirque du Soleil would fence Relations, Renée-Claude Ménard, parking, reinforcing the view Adelaide and bitumise Park Lands for its profit, 17 confirmed Cirque du Soleil intends to City Council is ‘failing abysmally in its giving ‘budget relief’ to council’s Park 24 lay a bitumen surface in Park 24 for this statutory responsibilities’ as custodian.8 Event Venue project, mooted (in part): year’s OVO tour.1 The Adelaide Showground pointed out • because events have damaged other fees proposed to be charged to Cirque du areas of Park Lands, and Ironically, OVO claims to be ‘a headlong Soleil were artificially cheap, representing • to ‘spread the pain’ of noise-polluting rush into a colourful eco-system teeming a ratepayers’ subsidy contrary to South commercial amplified music concerts with life … a world of biodiversity and Australia’s Competitive Neutrality Policy, (to areas of lower socio-economic beauty’,2 but wants to bury actual Park and stated existing facilities should be status, thereby reducing complaints Lands biodiversity with road-base, used, not Park Lands.9 Others castigated from demographically richer areas). bitumen and heavy equipment, for many the consultation process as ‘quite months and private profit. The ‘OVO’ A Trojan horse for bitumising Park Lands compromised’ and ‘corrupted’.10 Village will consist of the contents of and native vegetation, Cirque du Soleil is a approximately 74 shipping containers, de facto council partner/sponsor for: replete with generators, fuel and propane the public feel that such • Council expanding its UPark tanks, an army of airconditioners, a school, ‘consultations’ are of carparking business in Park Lands; catering/kitchen, laundry, toilets, showers, no consequence and indeed • anti-competitive use of Park Lands as massage room, workshops, merchandising merely a bureaucratic box commercial carparks and hire venues; and box office sales buildings, site and • commercial exploitation. technical shops, living quarters, and VIP ticking exercise tents; needs fire access roadways, and Cirque du Soleil’s Park Lands Public submission on Cirque du Soleil’s ‘OVO’, performances should be boycotted. also wants ‘onsite parking ... for up to 700 ACC CSEFC Agenda 8 May 2012, p 50. vehicles per show’.3 Kelly Henderson The OVO proposal to impact over On 17 February, a month before council 1. Weekly Times Messenger 18 July 2012, p 49. 36,000m2 of Park 24—15,000m2 of car commenced public consultation (14 Mar– 2 2. Cirque du Soleil Press Release 17 February 2012. parking, 21,000m of fenced trafficable 4 Apr), and three months before the public 3. Adelaide City Council (ACC) City Culture and area and hardstand (compacted gravel decision to grant a lease (22 May), Cirque Community Services Committee (CCCSC) and bitumen), plus heavy vehicle entry du Soleil published its OVO Park 24 Agenda 13 March 2012 pp 4–12; Adelaide Park and access routes—is blatant hypocrisy location to the world: Lands Authority Agenda 8 March 2012, pp 12–19. and abuse: a headlong rush into an Adelaide - From December 6 2012, 4. City of Perth Council Agenda 3 April 2012, environmental and ‘consultation’ farce. at Tambawodli (Park 24), just off Sir pp 31–41 plus Map. 5. The Advertiser 11 July 2012, p 8. At its Perth site, Cirque du Soleil will: Ronald [sic] Bradman Drive ... [tickets] 6. ACC Development Assessment Committee • use a more efficient layout taking on sale to the general public ... Agenda 28 May 2001, p 1615. 2 11 16,000m of Langley Park Reserve, February 20 2012. 7. Conservation Council of South Australia Inc. and manage with only 120 off-site VIP Cirque du Soleil aspires to be ‘a letter to ACC, 1 May 2001. vehicle spaces; 8. ACC Community Services, Events & responsible agent of change’ that • pay a hire fee of $135,356, a $20,000 Facilities Committee (CSEFC) Agenda 8 May ‘conducts itself in a way that shows 2012, pp 51–55; CCCSC Agenda pp 39–46. bond, and restoration costs in the 12 respect for ... the environment’ with 9. ACC CCCSC Agenda 3 July 2012 pp 51-52, order of $100,000; a Responsible Procurement Policy.13 and www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-03/park- • as a non-complying event, meet Ignoring overwhelming community lands-asphalt-showgrounds/4107026. requirements of the Environmental opposition, lack of native vegetation 10. ACC CCCSC Agenda 3 July 2012. Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.4 mapping, and no real consideration of 11. Press Release 17 February 2012. environmental or social impact in Cirque 12. www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/about/global- Accused of lobbying Canadian citizenship/sustainable-development.aspx. du Soleil’s OVO and 10-year Park Lands environmental groups,5 in fact APPA 13. Effective 1 January 2009. proposals shows this is empty humbug.14 notified Cirque du Soleil their 2012 OVO 14. ACC CCCSC Agenda 3 July 2012 pp 3–123. and 10-year proposals were unacceptable. 15. Press Release 1 June 2011, www.cirque Who is Cirque du Soleil? dusoleil.com/en/press/news/2011/desigual- In 2000, Cirque du Soleil’s event ‘caused Founded by Montreal street performers, partnership-announcement.aspx; respectively, a large amount of damage’ to Park 24 and the ‘circus of the sun’ has morphed one of the world’s largest privately held real es- ‘[f]ull remedial works took almost 1 year into a massive commercial business: tate developers, and a private equity / invest- ... causing long-term disruption.’6 In 2001, merchandising Cirque du Soleil products; ment arm of Dubai World (one of the world’s largest holding companies); Cirque du Soleil partnering with Las Vegas and Macau the Conservation Council of SA nominated Press Release 6 August 2008, www.cirquedu- Bonython Park as a more appropriate casinos, Dubai real estate and investment soleil.com/en/press/news/2008/news122.aspx. venue for Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Alegria’, to companies, and clothing and accessory 16. www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/about/global- avoid damaging native plants in other designer Desiguel; and announcing in citizenship/community/international-head- areas.7 Cirque du Soleil accepted, and 2008 that strategic partners Nakheel quarters.aspx. used Bonython Park in 2005 and 2007. and Istithmar World had obtained 20% 17. ACC CCCSC Agenda 3 July 2012, p 6. Park LANDS News August 2012—5 APPA’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT
It is traditional to celebrate notable anniversary dates with appropriate festivities, but APPA’s 25th anniversary event was not a traditional celebration. On Sunday 29 April 2012, more than sixty APPA members came together to reminisce and to discuss future scenarios for the Adelaide Park Lands. But every member in attendance that afternoon would have preferred that the need for the formation of the Adelaide Park Lands Preservation Association had never existed in the first place and, therefore, there would not have been a reason for their gathering that Sunday. The first Park Lands preservation movement was formed in 1869 by Above: Patron Dr Lynn Arnold AO, Master of Ceremonies for APPA’s 25th anniversary. citizens concerned for the wellbeing and preservation of Colonel William Light’s With more than one third of the original Meeting Hall fortunately survived the 1976 legacy to the people of South Australia. Park Lands lost to annexation and demolition of the Pirie Street Methodist APPA became the 20th (and now development, further threats, exploitation Church, to which it was originally 21st) century incarnation of that same and alienation continue. Although attached. This venue had a certain community concern when the Association there might be little to celebrate, APPA resonance because APPA was conceived was formally constituted on 27 April 1987. members should comfort themselves at the meeting on 9 March 1987 in The Advertiser (when it was a newspaper with the certain knowledge that without Edmund Wright House, which itself was and not just a subsidiary of the property the watchdog and advocacy efforts of saved from demolition after a massive and business lobby, as it is today) of 9 Park Lands preservation bodies past and community campaign for its preservation. March 1987 reported that: present the situation for the Adelaide Park A public meeting to discuss the Lands would be even more dire. The program got under way to the silky future of Adelaide’s parklands accompaniment of the Classique String will be held by the Friends of And so, when APPA members gathered Trio, comprising violinists Elizabeth the Parklands at Edmund Wright for APPA’s 25th anniversary event that Collins and Jenny Symonds, and cellist House, King William Street, city, was not a celebration, we were still Sherri Handley. These gifted musicians at 7.30 p.m. tomorrow. Overall able to enjoy each others’ company for first met in 1989 as members of the plans for the parklands, who a few hours of respite in the splendid Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. APPA controls their future and other 19th century Old Methodist Meeting members were able to socialise for an matters will be discussed. Hall, designed by Edmund Wright. The hour or so enjoying a variety of canapés
APPA’s NEW POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 7334 Hutt Street ADELAIDE SA 5000
NEXT NEWSLETTER COPY DEADLINE: 25 September 2012 Always in search of pithy articles, Above: APPA’s Committee for 2011–12 and Patron, from left to right—Brian Mitchell educational information and comment (Secretary), Philip Groves (Treasurer and Deputy President), Luciana Larkin (Committee on current issues Member), Kelly Henderson (President), Kyle Penick (Committee Member) and Dr Lynn Arnold AO (Patron). Missing from photo: Michael Sando (Committee Member).
Park LANDS News August 2012—6 Adelaide’s Park Lands should not be a ‘political football.’ and drinks, with the Trio performing in the background from their light classical repertoire. A dedicated but all too brief performance by the Trio followed, when their musicianship was on full display. The Meeting Hall’s surprisingly good acoustics also complemented the performance. Patron of APPA, Dr Lynn Arnold AO, who seamlessly performed the role of Master of Ceremonies for this event, then introduced Jim Daly. Jim was APPA’s first Secretary in 1987 and subsequently a Committee Member before being elected APPA’s President for three years (2006– 09). Jim introduced APPA’s inaugural Chairman, Damien Mugavin, who spoke about his early role. At the time of his election, Damien was a lecturer in town planning at the SA Institute of Technology. He also holds a Above: The ‘three wise men’ in full flow from left to right—Ian Gilfillan, Jim Daly and Bachelor of Architecture and qualifications Damien Mugavin. in landscape architecture. The Advertiser of 2 May 1987 quoted Damien as saying Adelaide’s Park Lands should not be a APPA formally welcomes Damien and ‘political football’. At the time, he had Susan back to Adelaide. lived in Adelaide for only six years but An informal discussion followed between became involved in moves to conserve Jim Daly, Ian Gilfillan and Damien the city’s green belt to avoid a ‘political Mugavin, revealing personal insights into dogfight approach’. the beginnings of the Association. Damien was also quoted as saying Dr Lynn Arnold then presented inaugural, ‘The Association is really about continuous members of APPA with the the little people. There needs to be ‘Founding Member Award’, bestowed expression of the general public’s on a select group of only five members views for management and restoration ‘in recognition of a longstanding of the parklands’, and that there was and continuous commitment to the statewide concern for the Park Lands. Association as Founding Member from Above: Imogen Weston enjoys a The story also listed other matters of April 1987 to April 2012’. magical experience with magician concern which included parkland sites Jamie Nelson. Heather Southcott and Ian Gilfillan were used for paved courts, sports fields presented with their certificate awards and associated buildings, and delays in by Dr Arnold, with APPA Secretary Brian Below: Heather Southcott OAM is restoring areas used for the Grand Prix Mitchell accepting awards on behalf presented with her Founding Member and in landscaping parkland roadworks. of Anna Cox and Ruth and Jeffery Award by Dr Lynn Arnold AO. Prophetically, Damien said that siting Chittleborough, who could not be present. the Adelaide High School on the Park Lands was ‘in retrospect, unfortunate It would be remiss of me not to and debatable’, but he doubted that the acknowledge the contribution of magical school or its grounds would ever revert to APPA member Bernard Larkin and Park Lands. his colleague Jamie Nelson. Bernard and Jamie are both members of the For many of the intervening 20 years Australian Society of Magicians and with or so, Damien was overseas working their consummate skills they provided in various academic roles. When this some sleight-of-hand amusement and writer contacted him in October 2011, diversions during the afternoon. Bernard he was Professor of the Department is still working on a popular request to of Landscape Architecture and Rural make all the unwanted activities and Systems Engineering at Seoul National the promoters of those activities in the University. It transpired that Damien and Adelaide Park Lands ‘disappear’. his wife Susan were planning to return to Adelaide permanently in February 2012, The APPA sub-committee who organised with Damien saying to me: ‘It seems the 25th anniversary event comprised Jim measures to finally give permanent 25 years has flown out of the window. Daly, Gunta and Philip Groves and Brian recognition and protection to Adelaide’s However, Adelaide Park Lands are ever Mitchell, with culinary advice from Luciana finest natural and cultural asset, the present; it’s the, hopefully, eternal aspect and Bernard Larkin. Their collective Adelaide Park Lands. of Adelaide, in just the same way as the hope is that the Association will be made buildings of Rome’. redundant by State Government initiating Philip Groves
Park LANDS News August 2012—7 A Tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11
he pomp and ceremony of the Duke and Duchess of York’s visit T to Adelaide during their 1927 Australasian tour was followed by a joyful family reunion with baby Princess Elizabeth (now HM Queen Elizabeth II), and left a lasting legacy in the Park Lands to delight children: Princess Elizabeth Children’s Playground, South Terrace. On 16 June 1927 the Royal Visit Citizens’ Committee and subscribers to the Citizens’ Fund (for decoration and illumination of the City, sports, Citizen’s Ball, entertainments, advertising, etc) met in the Lord Mayor’s reception room, Town Hall, Adelaide, and adopted Lord Mayor Sir Wallace Above: The Duchess of York with Above: Princess Elizabeth (b.1926) Bruce’s recommendation that unexpended Princess Elizabeth (now Queen with lilies, 1929, at St Paul’s Walden funds be used to establish a children’s Elizabeth II), 30 June 1927, three days Bury, the Hertfordshire home of the playground, ‘heartily supported by Mr. J. H. after the Duke and Duchess of York’s Princess’s maternal grandparents. Gosse’, the finance committee chairman. return from Australasia. Photographer: Photographer: HRH The Duke of York At Sir William Sowden’s suggestion, the Marcus Adams. RCIN 2943822. (later King George VI). RCIN 2999926. playground was named ‘Princess Elizabeth Supplied by Royal Collection Trust/ Supplied by Royal Collection Trust/ Children’s Playground’, and a committee © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012. © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012. of Messrs J. H. Gosse, W. G. T. Goodman, E. H. McMichael, and H. E. Winterbottom ... clear blue eyes of summer, and the frank freshness of spring was appointed to negotiate with the City Council and supervise the playground’s ... a questioning, curious child of alert movement and happy creation. Their request for the Corporation disposition ... a pale blue periwinkle fairy ... to allocate a site for the playground on the Description of Princess Elizabeth on her first public social engagement as a bridesmaid of understanding Council would maintain it Lady Mary Cambridge and Captain Henry Abel Smith, Advocate (Burnie, Tas) 29 September 1931, p 7. was reported in Adelaide1 and Hobart.2 On 21 September 1928, Adelaide City Council advertised for tenders for Contract No. 26/28 ‘Sanitary Conveniences and Shelter’ for Princess Elizabeth Children’s Playground contiguous to South Terrace adjoining the South Terrace/Goodwood Road garden: The Plans, Specification and General Conditions ... can be seen at the City Engineer and Surveyor’s Office.3
On 12 November 1928, the special committee appointed to consider the matter of the playground directed acceptance of the ‘tender of Messrs. J. King & Son of £680’.4
The Opening In September 1929, The Register reported on the playground’s forthcoming opening: It was felt [the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York] could not be more fittingly commemorated than by the establishment of a playground ...5 Images from ‘Scenes of the Play Hours of Children’ The Mail 30 Sep 1933, p 18: The Advertiser recorded that Sturt-street Above left: ‘On the joy-wheel at Princess schoolchildren would form a ‘guard of Elizabeth Playground.’ honor’: ... and the same school will supply Above: ‘... half a dozen boys were children for a rhythmic display, building a mammoth castle in the sandpit, kindergarten games, and a two others were concerned about the demonstration of the use of the disappearance of their tennis balls.’ playground apparatus. Left: ‘Swarming through the jungle gym’.
Park LANDS News August 2012—8 Princess Elizabeth Children’s P layground The proceedings will conclude with an assembly of the children, who will I can imagine salute the flag which will be broken out Princess Elizabeth being at the flagstaff’.6 quite thrilled at the The playground was supplied with playground. She is a little girl, ‘see-saws, swings, sand basin, and just like you, and other equipment for the amusement of enjoys things even though children’, ‘a large expanse of lawn for playing’, and ‘a fine brick rest room’.7 she is a princess Amongst those present ... were the Lord Lord Mayoress Lady Bonython, 17 Mayor and Mrs. Bonython, Sir Wallace September 1929, on opening the Princess Bruce, Alderman I. Isaacs, Mr. A. A. Elizabeth Children’s Playground, South- Edwards M.P., Councillors J. R. Cain, C. terrace West, Park Lands, reported by The Register News 18 September 1929, p 14. R. J. Glover, and T. Flint, Messrs. W. J. Adey (Director of Education), C. Charlton (Deputy Director of Education), H. P. 1. The Advertiser, Fri 17 June 1927, p 16. Beaver (Town Clerk), A. J. Morison, W. 2. The Mercury (Hobart, Tas) June 17 1929, p 17. C. D. Veale (City Engineer), and A. W. 3. The Register, Fri 21 September 1928, p 16. 4. The Register, Tue 13 November 1928, p 13. Pelzer (City Gardener) ... In declaring 5. The Register News-Pictorial Fri 13 September the ground open Mrs Bonython said 1929, p 36. Above: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee that the form chosen for utilising the 6. The Advertiser Tue 17 September 1929, p 19. official emblem, the winning design funds was a delightful idea, and one 7. The Advertiser Wed 18 September 1929, p 20. that would appeal strongly to the 8. Ibid. from a national competition for children Duke and Duchess, and particularly 9. The Register News-Pictorial 18 September 6–14 yrs, drawn by 10-year-old to Princess Elizabeth herself. Lord 1929, p 14. Katherine Dewar, Chester, UK. Cavan, a member of the Duke’s staff ... had said that Adelaide’s children’s playgrounds were the best in the world. She had much pleasure in declaring yet a further addition to their number open … Mr. A. A. Edwards, on behalf of the children of the district, expressed their appreciation of the work of the City Engineer (Mr. Veale), and the City Gardener (Mr. Pelzer) to whose efforts they were indebted for the playground. ... Miss Grace Shannon (supervisor of the ground) conducted Mrs. Bonython round, while a class of school girls gave a demonstration of rhythmic dancing on the lawn, and other children demonstrated the apparatus’.8 The Register-News Pictorial recorded other details, after noting that later that day the Lady Mayoress attended the Royal Adelaide Show Ladies’ Day ‘in Above and below: City Engineer’s Department Plan No L63/1928 Plan of Shelter Shed black, with a brilliant ornament in her hat’: 4.7.28 (Sheet No.1 of 2), and detail of Plan No L65/1928 Plan of ‘Princess Elizabeth’ [The Lady Mayoress] Mrs. Bonython Childrens Playground 31.8.28 (Sheet No.2 of 2). made a short speech, and released Source: Adelaide City Archives Accession 6187. Supplied by Adelaide City Archives. the Union Jack, which floated out from the flagstaff. Sir Wallace Bruce, who was Lord Mayor at the time of the Royal visit, then thanked her for performing the ceremony. A visit of inspection was then made round this fifth children’s playground, which is on an acre of ground, laid out in lawns, shade trees, and flower beds, and equipped with playing apparatus. There are also a shelter shed, sanitary accommodation, wading pools, sand heaps, besides a well-built brick office for the supervisor.9
Kelly Henderson
Park LANDS News August 2012—9 ADELAIDE HIGH SPRAWL—CAT 3 In yet another example of moral, policy, public comment and gives rights of appeal. dereliction of duty. Park Lands sites are and planning bankruptcy, government This is a very rare bird in the Park Lands, not rewards for planning incompetence is hellbent on sprawling Adelaide High hitherto believed extinct. and government improvidence. With School further into Park Lands at Ellis Park ample room for a school at Bowden on This corner of Park 24, excised for barracks (Park 24), ignoring the Adelaide Park Lands actual Government-owned land it’s time to in 1849, continued as the Adelaide Authority’s advice (10 November 2011): return the Adelaide High School site to Observatory until annexed for Adelaide Park Lands, and end government sprawl. [The Authority] cannot support High School (officially opened in 1952), the planned expansion of Adelaide but the Authority had the trifecta against Kelly Henderson High School beyond the current further purloining: the Management site boundaries ... [and advises the 1. DTEI-BM022852/Contract No:5688-MC- Strategy; 30-year Plan, and Adelaide 2012, www.tenders.sa.gov.au/tenders/ government to] pursue expansion ... (City) Development Plan do not support within the built form of the City ... tender/display/tender-details.do?id=22852& expansion of Adelaide High School. action=display-tender-details. Ignoring the Authority’s call for council With the Lord Mayor lauding a new era 2. http://ncapps.adelaidecitycouncil.com/ to withhold support, on 3 April 2012 of council-government co-operation, the agendasminutes/files08/Agendas/Council/ council’s City Design and Character Yarwood-led council is failing as Park 2012/2012_04_24Council.pdf, Item 19. Policy Committee recommended that Lands custodians, bizzarrely bent upon 3. ‘Yarwood sorry for disabled carparking council grant a 42-year lease of part of planting buildings, bitumen, and carparks foul-up’, Sunday Mail, 4 Feb 2012, Park 24 (Ellis Park) to the Minister: on Park Lands whilst making a ‘splash’ www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south at effectively no charge ... [and] waive converting city streets, including on-street -australia/yarwood-sorry-for-disabled- its Park Lands related policy ... on disability car parks, to ‘parklets’.3 Council’s carparking-foul-up/story-e6frea83- the proviso that there be no further limp ‘no future expansion’ is a blatant 1226262753085. expansions of Adelaide High School into the Park Lands. On 24 April 2012, council voted to grant FORMER OVAL YEW AXED the lease and allow expansion of Adelaide High School. This shameful Yews are known to live for thousands of applied for approval (‘Redevelopment of vote was carried 6/5.2 For: Deputy Lord years and are revered as sacred ‘witness’ Adelaide Oval’, DA 020/0044/11, DAC 27 Mayor David Plumridge AO, and Crs trees. In June, APLA Board Member Gunta October 2011) apocryphally chirping that Abiad, Hender, Llewellyn-Smith, Malani, Groves asked about a healthy young Park Lands used for the Oval were owned Williamson. Against: Crs Clearihan, centenarian yew’s untimely demise. In reply, by the ‘Government of South Australia’. Hamilton, Henningsen, Moran, Wilkinson. this yew had been ‘possibly the oldest and Aided and abetted by over 25 years largest of its type in the Park Lands’. obstruction of State Heritage listing, axing The Department for Education and Child It survived relocation within Pennington approval was fast-tracked. Development’s building application (by Garden West when Adelaide Oval’s eastern JPE Design Studio, dated 27/6/12), coyly Dozens of trees in the Oval’s vicinity have stands were developed by the South been destroyed by government-funded claims the $15 million works are ‘3-storey Australian Cricket Association (2002–03). additions to existing buildings’. The tree-fellers, seeking to maximise carparks Development Assessment Commission The yew was axed by Adelaide’s Stadium and hard surface. Many more are on death (DAC), whose public notification period folly, despite SACA ‘Yes-Vote’ assurances row, and councillors have been valiantly closed on 22 August, is more forthright. significant trees would be transplanted by defending part of the nation’s landscaping Additions and alterations ... including the Stadium project. On 14 October 2011 heritage, John Ednie Brown’s white cedar construction of a new three storey in a ‘planning’ charade, the Department avenue, from government machinations. building ... which extends into Ellis for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure Kelly Henderson Park and includes undercroft parking, two levels above and a roof terrace; ... relocation of the existing roadway; ... car parking ... [DA020/0021/12A] These days Park Lands consultations are usually high farce, so an earlier 15 August 2012 closing date of Registrations of Interest for the ‘Adelaide High School Redevelopment Addition’ Tender1 is no surprise; unlike the non-complying Category 3 public notification that allowed
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Contact Committee 2012–2013 MEMBERSHIP President: Ian Gilfillan Ian Gilfillan (President) RENEWALS Telephone: (08) 8333 0534 Secretary: Brian Mitchell NOTICE Mobile: 0429 0429 50 Treasurer: Luciana Larkin Brian Mitchell (Secretary) 2012–13 membership renewals Telephone: (08) 8263 5168 Committee members: for the membership year Kelly Henderson 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 Kyle Penick News, comments, articles and Web Hamish Ramsay are due. When you return site suggestions: Michael Sando your renewal form, please Shane Sody The Editor advise of any changes to your c/– PO Box 7334 Hutt Street SA 5000 Auditor David Carver, BK Partners membership details (including Mobile: 0432 989 676 e-mail address if you receive E-mail: [email protected] Editor/Web administrator Park Lands News by e-mail). Kelly Henderson Next newsletter copy deadline: As always, 25 September 2012 DISCLAIMER your prompt renewal Membership: The information in this publication is presented in good would be appreciated as it faith to members of APPA Inc. While the information is Membership of the Association is believed to be correct, APPA Inc takes no responsibility saves APPA administrative open to all who support the objec- for its accuracy. No liability is accepted for any statements of opinion or any error or omission. Although advertising costs in generating tives of the Association. Members material is accepted for this newsletter, such acceptance receive the Park Lands News four does not imply endorsement by APPA Inc. ‘reminder’ notices. times a year.
Park LANDS News August 2012—11