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Drouin Civic Park highlights gets new interpretive signage highlighting its historical and natural features

New seven interpretive signages in Drouin Civic Park highlights historical and natural features, celebrated in a launch ceremony and walking tour. The community-driven project enhances visitors' understanding of the park's significance.

By news@gippsland - 17th July 2023 - Back to News

Residents and visitors alike can easily explore the rich history and natural significance of Drouin Civic Park thanks to new interpretive signage recently installed to highlight notable locations and features.

Judy Farmer, Cr Keith Cook, Cr Peter Kostos, Mayor Annemarie McCabe and Helen Timbury with History of Civic Park Sign

Signs installation

In total, seven signs have been installed throughout Drouin's Civic Park acknowledging:

• John Grubb Park
• Drouin's Father of Parks and Gardens (acknowledging Leo Boeyen)
• The Path of Achievement
• Keith Pretty and the soundshell
• Froggy Hollow
• The View from Here
• The History of Civic Park

Each sign shares local stories and information, shining a spotlight on the sites' historical and natural importance. A launch ceremony and walking tour took place earlier today to officially acknowledge the signage.

Celebrating with the event

Numerous attendees with close ties to the project joined the celebrations, including

• Baw Baw Shire Mayor and Councillors
• Representatives of Friends of Drouin Trees
• Keith Pretty and family
• Jenny Boeyen
• Karen Thomson (family of Leo Boeyen)
• Helen Timbury (the signs' designer)
• Beau Ledger of Drouin Signs (responsible for their manufacture)
• Members of the Project Reference Group
• Council officers and community members

The Mayor of Baw Baw Shire, Councillor Annemarie McCabe, delivered a brief speech, expressing her appreciation for the collaborative efforts that made the interpretive signage project a reality. "It is just wonderful to see the completed signs installed here in Civic Park, and to think of all the people who will now have the opportunity to explore the park and learn all about each location's natural features and history."

Community-driven signage project

Cr McCabe also said, "The signage project was undertaken as part of an overarching masterplan for the park and is the direct outcome of the thorough community consultation conducted as part of the master plan's development."

"The signs were something our community really wanted to see, and I'd like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to all those involved in bringing this project to life," she said.

Historical signage tribute

In developing the signs and their content Friends of Drouin's Trees played a central role, supplying much of the historical content recorded in the signs. "I think this signage really matters," says Friends of Drouin's Trees representative Judy Farmer.

"If you don't have the signs, you don't have the context, the significance and that glimmer of history. And so our purpose - and I'm really grateful to be able to do this while Jenny Boeyen [wife of Leo Boeyen] is still with us and while Keith (Pretty) is still with us - was to acknowledge the incredible contributions made by them. They are not small contributions. They are huge," she said. The signage is now proudly on permanent display throughout Drouin's Civic Park.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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