Interpretive signage launch for Brighton historical site

Interpretive signage for the Old Army Camp was officially launched in Brighton recently, creating a new life for a valuable historic site.

Brighton Council was approached by the Rotary Club of Brighton in 2020 with the idea of installing the interpretation panels to tell the history and stories of the site. As the site is an important part of the wider Brighton community, Council agreed to provide $10,000 in funding toward the project.

The project was led by Neil Stewart from the Rotary Club of Brighton and Derek Hall-Jones

Bridgewater Community House reno update

Work is ongoing at the Bridgewater Community House, which is on track to be finished by the middle of 2023. Renovations on the house started in February and involve extensions to the kitchen and dining room, with a movable wall, and a reconfiguration of the front room.

The house is a project run by the Jordan River Service to provide a safe place for people within our community to grow and share their skills and knowledge. Due to the works, changes have been made to the services and programs:

• Community Lunch has moved to the Gagebrook who designed and meticulously researched the content for the panels. Derek took a leading role in overseeing the production of the panels and together with the Brighton Council works crew, he aided the installation of the panels on site.

At the launch event in March, Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray shared, “A sincere thank you to you both Stewart and Derek for ensuring the quality and engaging nature of this work that is now here for all to discover and enjoy.” The mayor also thanked Scott Percey, Works Manager at Brighton Council, and his team for the fine job of installing

Community House.

• NILS appointments has moved to Gagebrook Community House.

• Games Group has moved to Gagebrook Community House.

• Arts & Crafts Group has moved to the Jordan River Community Workshed.

• ‘A Few Good Men’ has moved to the Jordan River Community Workshed the corten steel bases for the panels. The interpretive signage was unveiled by Mr Michael Cooke and the mayor.

• The Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is operating as normal, but only via the car park entrance. The front entrance will not be accessible.

• The Top Gear program is operating as normal, but by appointment only. Please contact the Top Gear Coordinator, Darlene Carver, at topgear@jrsinc. org.au for more info.

• Integrated Family Support Service (IFSS) are now in-office visits by prior arrangement with your IFSS worker at Gagebrook Community House only.

The interpretive signage panels tell the history and stories of the site at every stage from palawa culture and the Tasmanian Aboriginal nations that passed through and inhabited the Kutalayna/Jordan River region.

They also showcase the site’s time as an airport, army hospital, army training camp and in more recent times, housing for refugees from Kosovar. The army camp was closed in 2006 but as many are aware, the site is historically and culturally significant for the Brighton municipal area. This important project ensures that those who are new to the area or just passing by can learn the history and stories surrounding this site as they are a valuable part of our history as Tasmanians and local Brighton residents.

Outreach is operating as normal.

• The Community Garden will operate in a limited capacity at this stage.

• Food Assistance continues to operate, however this will be bread and veggies outside on a table. If you need pantry items, ring the doorbell and staff will assist with what you need.

Please note that these service arrangements are subject to change depending on health and safety advice from the builders, and that there will be no public entry to the house itself during the building works.

Bridgewater Community House wishes to thank everyone in our community for their ongoing patience and support, and are looking forward to sharing the new and improved community house with you once renovations are finished. Bridgewater Community House is at 6 Bowden Drive, Bridgewater.

“We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of Brighton for the hard work that has been put into making sure these stories and the history are here for all to see and understand,” Mayor Gray said.

If you’d like to check out the Old Army Camp site and the new informative panels, head to Menin Drive, Brighton.

Brighton Council Easter Opening Hours and Services

COUNCIL OFFICES OLD BEACH

Closed Good Friday 7 April 2023 until 8.15am on Wednesday 12 April 2023.

WASTE TRANSFER STATION

Closed Good Friday. Open Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

WASTE COLLECTION

Recycling and FOGO collections are normal. General Waste will be collected on Saturday 8 April 2023.

COUNCIL DEPOT, BRIDGEWATER

Closed Good Friday 7 April 2023 until 7.30am on Wednesday 12 April 2023.

For emergencies during this period, phone the Standby Officer (03) 6268 7000

Signed: James Dryburgh GENERAL MANAGER admin@brighton.tas.gov.au www.brighton.tas.gov.au

Our future as a society has perhaps never been so uncertain as we navigate seemingly insurmountable obstacles: cost of living crisis, inflation, housing shortages plus social, cultural and gender equity struggles that continue to dominate our lives.

As Mayor, I am reassured and incredibly proud of how our community is responding to these turbulent times. I have seen our community come alive through the challenges and opportunities we are faced with. We have seen a rise in grassroots leadership in the face of ongoing uncertainty. People willing to not wait for someone else to act but step up and have a go themselves. This is