parklands THE MAGAZINE OF CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS VOLUME 41 • SUMMER 2007-2008 VOLUME Partnerships come in all shapes and sizes Equine Influenza Friends program revitalised Directions addition to this, there are many volunteers, however were seeking more in-depth Friends of Centennial Parklands and visitor information about environmental aspects of program providers that make a great the Parklands. For more results see our contribution. Read about many of the quiet story on page 5. achievers that help to make these Parklands Finally, the vibrant artwork that features on a great public resource (see page 6). the cover is the new look of the Friends of A key priority of the Trust over the last few Centennial Parklands program. The Friends months has been securing and maintaining program is a great way to get the most out strict quarantine conditions at the of your Parklands. Not only will you receive Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre. a range of discounts and benefits, but every Turn to page 4 to read about the impacts of dollar of your membership goes towards Welcome to the summer issue of Parklands Equine Influenza on Centennial Parklands the work of the Centennial Parklands magazine. and the many opportunities you have to Foundation (see page 10). It may surprise you to learn that over 1,500 enjoy now that the Equestrian Centre is Enjoy summer. people are employed across Centennial back in business. Parklands at certain times of the year The results of the recent Parklands (including staff and contractors of the magazine readers survey have been Steve Corbett Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust and analysed. You told us that you continue to Director and Chief Executive the many businesses across Trust lands). In enjoy the magazine’s content and layout, Centennial Parklands Our People Our Places Our Partners Our Potential Contents Parkbench 3 Equine Influenza 4 Reader Survey feedback 5 Summer events line-up 5 Feature: Partnerships come in 4 all shapes and sizes 6 Twitcher’s Corner: Parklands magazine is published quarterly by the Great Egret 8 Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust: Locked Bag 15, Paddington NSW 2021 A Walk in the Park with Centennial Parklands is managed by the Patricia Meagher 8 Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust. Trustees: Plant of the Season: Professor John Niland AC (Chairman) Justice Annabelle Bennett AO David Leckie Oriental Lily 9 Yvette Pietsch Allan Young Business profile: Horses are back 9 John Walker Sarah Whyte 6 Dr Margaret Varady AO Friends of Centennial Parklands 10 The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust acknowledges the Cadigal as the traditional Foundation 11 8 custodians of the land that is now known as Centennial Parklands. Visitor Information 12 Editor: Rachel Maiden [email protected] Contributors: John Gintowt, Trevor Waller Cover: The creative new look for the Photography: Chris Gleisner Friends of Centennial Parklands program 2 Parklands Summer 2007–08 Parkbench Lights, Camera, Action Queens Park - a new play experience The Australian Film, Television and Radio School Work is underway to revitalise (AFTRS), a statutory Commonwealth the Queens Park playground. organisation, finalised a deal in 2006-2007 with Design plans have been Entertainment Quarter lessee Colonial First approved and contractors are State Property Management to relocate from its being sought to work on the current premises at North Ryde to a purpose project. It has been 14 years built building within the Entertainment Quarter since the last make-over, but at Moore Park. The Centennial Park and Moore now, with the help of designer Park Trust has approved the proposal Fiona Robbé, the playspace recognising that it is of state and national will offer a diversity of choice significance. Playground design and play options for children. ‘The Trust is pleased to support this exciting The design incorporates initiative. The relocation of the distinguished equipment based and non-equipment based play to enrich play experiences AFTRS to Moore Park is an ideal complement in a natural setting. It will have a “creek” theme–an historical allusion to to the existing facilities within the entertainment Queens Park’s swamp origins. Work will commence in February 2008. precinct,’ said Steve Corbett, Director and Chief Executive of Centennial Parklands. The refurbishment should be ready for student enrolment in early 2008. Over $4 million raised for charity Centennial Parklands’ lush space and backdrop is very appealing to Five unsafe trees removed event organisers. For the benefit of the community, the Trust from Grand Drive ensures its venues are available In October 2007 five Port Jackson Fig trees for fundraising and charity events were removed from Grand Drive, opposite throughout the year. In the Federation Pavilion. Sadly, these trees were 2006-07 financial year the charity identified in the Tree Master Plan as having events held in Centennial reached the end of their safe useful life Ride for Life fundraising cycle Parklands raised over $4 million expectancy due to the effects of drought, old dollars–a figure the Trust is very proud of. age and urban impacts. This is part of a staged Many of these events were sports-related such as the Ride for Life fundraising program of gradual tree replacement that will cycle, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure and the occur over the next few years. JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge. The Sydney Children’s Hospital ‘Replacing trees at the rate required to maintain Foundation Gold Dinner, held at Kippax Lake, was a resounding fundraising a healthy tree population is an expensive success. The Parklands was also the venue for the Somersault event, undertaking,’ said Steve Corbett, Director and providing a series of circus-style shows for sick and disadvantaged children. Chief Executive of Centennial Parklands. The Centennial Parklands Foundation is Traffic changes for Moonlight Cinema working hard to Moonlight Cinema will commence its three month season on Thursday raise funds for the 6 December at the Belvedere Amphitheatre. During this time Carrington Tree Replacement Drive will become a one-way flow from 5.30 pm each day the cinema is Program and you open. The road will be blocked off to incoming traffic at its western end can get involved. (closest to Paddington Gates). If you are driving to the cinema please enter For more from the Woollahra Gates where you will be directed to parallel parking information on the along Carrington Drive. latest appeal see These changes will better manage traffic associated with the event as well as page 11. providing a safe footpath along Carrington Drive for cinema patrons. At all The removal of trees is a stark reminder of the need to support other times Carrington Drive will operate as a two-way road. the work of the Centennial Parklands Foundation Parklands Summer 2007–08 3 Park News Equine Influenza: How we met the challenge 25 August 2007 was the day the highly contagious Equine Influenza (EI) was found to have struck the Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre (CPEC). The disease hit Sydney and it spread quickly throughout the state and parts of Queensland. Two horses stabled at CPEC were initially identified as carriers of the virus, which soon swept across the whole Centre resulting in 152 horses having to be quarantined within five days. EI is a disease easily spread from horse to horse. Symptoms included high temperatures (up to 40.8 degrees with shivering and sweating), a barking cough, going off feed and stiff muscles. ‘As with humans, the older horses seemed to suffer worst. We have several horses that are in their twenties and they really Centre Manager Dee Vodden (right) with Adrian Knobel (Department of Primary Industries, second from right) battled to get better. Two had to be rushed Dr Keith Hart (Veterinarian from Rural Lands Protection Board, third from right) and veterinary science students to Randwick Equine Centre–one had to undergo colic surgery and the other had to Said Dee: ‘Most horses are being ridden techniques such as the flatwork riding. be on a drip for four days– but both are on again, but are on very light duties due to The Trust and the CPEC management the mend now,’ said Dee Vodden, the respiratory damage the virus has team would like to extend their thanks Equestrian Centre Manager. caused. Their return to the Park was and congratulations to all those impacted Behind closed gates, staff and owners incident free and brought many smiles by the EI for their hard work and worked around the clock to care for the among park users with cyclists actually patience. A special thanks is extended to horses and control further spread of the cheering and shouting “good to see you the Centre’s private clients and business virus. Extreme hygiene measures had to be back”! The horses themselves were just owners for their understanding and implemented due to the contagious nature happy to be able to stretch their legs and perseverance during this difficult time. of the disease–there was strict biosecurity have a bite of grass!’ The work of the staff from the for people entering and leaving the Now begins the challenge of restoring Department of Primary Industries, property and absolutely no horse or business as quickly as possible. This will who ensured that biosecurity measures vehicle movements were permitted. be a step-by-step confidence-building were effectively communicated CPEC was shut down for six weeks. process that will need the support of and implemented, was also very On Friday 5 October, test results carried visitors, CPEC clients and customers. much appreciated. out on all the horses in quarantine Even though horses are on light duties, To find out what is on offer at CPEC confirmed the end of a tense period.