Here is some of the group as they waited to perform. Don't you just love how the kid with the hat is the one with the smallest chance of skin cancer?
It's hard to see any detail here but I had to include a shot of the whole group.
And this is what all the fuss was about.
When we moved to the area, 11 years ago, there was a high school here. Sometime after that, maybe three years, the state government closed the school. There was community consultation as to how we would "like" to see the site developed. Then the school sat. It was vandalised and the weeds grew. About three years ago the school buildings were torn down. And the site sat. Finally, sometime last year, development started. It has continued at a cracking pace: stage 1 is complete, stage 2 almost and stage 3 is not yet built but is already mostly sold. We are near to having over 200 new homes in our neighbourhood.
Part of the "deal" that local residents lobbied for was that a portion of the land would be handed back to the community as a park.
Yesterday was the opening of that park.
I have to say that if it had to happen I kind of like the houses and I think the park will be a fabulous asset to the people of Narwee but I think it's a shame that the school was allowed to die.
I saw a number of pollies* there and I wondered why? they sold our school and then, when we were given back a portion of the land the politicians show up to celebrate? What have they given us really?
I had to laugh, too, at the development company. They put on free activities for the kids, free donuts, free soft drinks.......
and thought we would forget they were developers?
thought we would buy it when they called their marketing exercise a "community celebration"?
And did the state manager for the company really think she was believable when she announced that "Develop for profit" not only build accommodation but create homes????
* Hurtville Mayor, Vince Badalati; Hurstville councillor Bill Pickering; State member Kevin Greene and the Premier, Morris Iemma
OH, the hypocrisy. That sort of thing is absolutely RAMPANT in NYC, on both small and enormous scale. I get so irate sometimes, and feel helpless to do anything.
ReplyDeleteLoved the photos--it's so much fun to see everyday life in a far-off place.
Hi Kylie...
ReplyDeleteCool photos of the group. I think the community was smart in demanding a reserved park area as a part of the new development. I'm sure kids and families will enjoy it for years to come.
Dear Kylie,
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good weekend..
what a great community you live in.. I work for a NGO, so i know it is so hard to get people come out together.. (in here)... not in my place.. we will stop all our programs and get involved.. :))
Nice pictures btw..
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi
".... and the boxes are made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same..."
ReplyDeleteKYLIE,
Great photos of the group. They kids look like they were having fun.
It never ceases to astound me how "the powers that be" replace substantial and significant public amenities with something less and expect the community to be grateful.
A very similar situation happened here in Highett with the Highett Primary School, on Graham Road.
The site was redeveloped about twelve yeatrs ago.
About 120 units, maybe more, were built on the site. They are mostly tenanted by retirees who want to be close to the local lawn bowls club .
Great photos Mom!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all of those tiny faces. Enjoy the new work week.
Special,
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the group - it looks like fun! I want a djembe! Is it some kind of traditional drum?
I was kinda hoping your community would resemble either Ramsay Street or Fountain Lakes, with Kath and Kim - they're the impressions I get!
Noice, different, un-ewe-shal.....
Peej xx
Kooka,
ReplyDeleteMorris Iemma was actually a student at this cancelled out school! ie where the ticky tacky houses are.
Guess who lives in the district? Brian Booth for a short time Australian cricket captain. His club team was St George cricket club. A St G captain before his time was one, Sir Don!
John
great pics!!!! looks like a fun afternoon!!
ReplyDeleteLEAH
ReplyDeletei think it's everywhere, i just wonder why they think we're so stupid?
JUST BOB
yep, my own munchkins are up there playing everyday after school
BINDI
it is a great community. i never walk anywhere without someone saying hello
KOOKA
so Helen just missed out on going to highett school?
Liam is now inyear 8 and if the high school was still there he would have a five minute walk, instead its a combined 45mins bus and walk. i guess he'd just spend the time playing ga,es, though ;)
CECE
thanks. there's been lots of nonsense talked about bacterial counts at work of late....i wish someone would ask someone who knows instaed of talking out of their bums
PETER
some of the people and houses around here are just like fountain lakes. you know kimmies g-string on display? i couldn't tell ya how many of those i've seen. it seems they are finally out of fashion now so i can wander about without fear of visual assault :)
and my street is a cul-de-sac just like neighbours
xx
forgot the djembe: it'a traditional african drum but i cant remember which part of africa! i had never heard of them until liam did an assignment about it last year then in one of those cosmic coincidences the younger three all started learning to play them!!
IV
yeah, it was good. i always find the kid's antics hilarious, the sun was out.........
Looks like a fun day for your daughter! Well...at least the community got the 'park' even though they still developed the land in more homes. WOW! you said 200 new ones?! And so quickly. Here in California that has almost come to a dead stop especially in the area I live, Elk Grove,CA. great pics of your daughter!
ReplyDeleteJOHN,
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you.
I never knew that about the the great Sir Don and Brian Booth. Thanks for the info.
KYLIE,
Helen had to go to Moorabbin Primary but it was only a fifteen minute walk which is about the same time to walk to the Graham Road, Highett site.
Poor Liam has long school days if it is 45 minutes bus and walk both to and from his high school. I bet that he must be pretty tired by the end of the day.
ah , yes mark
ReplyDeleteliam leaves home at 7.30, he could go later but that would leave him short of time to play handball. he gets home at around 4, except on band practice day, when he gets home at 5. he does get tired sometimes but he copes surprisingly well, especially considering that he has always needed a lot of rest. friends used to be amazed that the oldest was the first to bed but it was really essential. he's a big boy and i always reckoned he needed more sleep to grow than the average bear !
Kylie,
ReplyDeleteI left you this comment at my place:
"Moorabbin Brass Band managed to play:
Canzona Cornetto - composed by Samuel Scheidt.
"Grand March" from "Aida" - Giuseppe Verdi
"Pilgrims' Chorus" from "Tannhauser" - Richard Wagner.
The band's Musical Director is Joseph Yu, a trombone soloist. He teaches brass at the Mount Waverley Secondary College, Melbourne Youth Symphonic Band, John Antill Youth Band and Camberwell Girls' Grammar School.
Besides all that he is a sought after soloist and has performed concerts featuring trombone and organ with his wife, Jennifer Chou both here in Australia and overseas.
I can also tell you what the other bands played if you like."
M. XX
The Goddess as already spoken, which means, it my turn!!! Oh honey, there are assholes everywhere. Sad but true. I feel your pain, but just know that you have the most adorable kids and I don't. See, you win! So smile and appreciate the beauty all around you. I love you my darling friend. And yes, I'm smiling for you!!!
ReplyDeleteI love you Kylie. Seriously.