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terminated.
The explanation is fairly simple, 'because we care for the Community'
No matter how long you prepare a project (9 months in this case), do the ground work required by the funding bodies ($6,000 not the reputed $10,000) send out letters to Community Groups (and get two
replies) attend meetings to explain the work, make presentations, work on solutions to problems that arise, liaise with Artists, change designs to meet
expectations, write open letters of explanation to the Community to allay concerns, brief elected
representatives of Local Government, invite the
community to come and talk things over, attend more meetings, be open and think that you have
explained everything, in the long run, the rumours and misinformation will be believed every time.
Sad, isn't it!
At a three hour meeting on December 10th, involving the Tasmanian Regional Arts-Lilydale committee, Parks and Recreation representatives, the Artists and facilitated by the Northern Regional Officer from our Head Office, it became very clear that a strong
undercurrent in the Community against the feature was gaining momentum even to the extent of open vandalism on three occasions to the first stage of the project.
The ultimate decision to terminate the feature was extremely difficult to make taking into consideration the effect on the Artists and the amount of time that had gone into the planning and execution of the
project.
In the end however, it became clear that continuation of the project could further divide the Community and for that reason and that reason alone, we made the decision to terminate.
Tasmanian Regional Arts-Lilydale has always and will continue to put the Community first.
Finally, as Agent for the Project, I would like to
acknowledge the hours of voluntary work put into this Project by our Committee (approximately 100 hours), the complete professionalism of the Artists, the hard working Village Green sub committee for their help on the installation, Neil Simpson and
Tasmanian Regional Arts for their support.
Carol Charlton
The 'Carols on the Green' went off very well, albeit a little chilly towards the end.
Thanks to the CWA for the sweets for the kids (big and little), Progress Association for the bread, onions and cordial, Regional Arts for the sausages (we ran out auggh!) Lilydale Fire Brigade for the cooking and the extra sausages, and last but not least, the Valley Voice Choir for their great effort. Thanks to all for coming along and making the first one a success.
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