Melbourne University Students visit Mark’s Country Place

Although no actual building or development work has began on Mark’s Country Place, we are in consultation with the engineers and designers on finalising the plans and preparing costings.  More on this to follow shortly.  However, other exciting developments are happening with the site.

A group of Melbourne University students from The Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, incorporating the Melbourne School of Design (MSD), visited Mark’s Country Place (MCP) recently.   As part of their elective subject, Place Making in the Built Environment, ** the students are studying MCP as their placemaking project.   Student teams are working together to design, implement and evaluate this placemaking project as a catalyst for change.  It will include a final presentation and a written report on the placemaking project.

The students spent much of their time walking over the property led by Rebecca Gray, Landscape Architect, who has designed and developed the landscape plans for MCP.   As they walked, Rebecca pointed out the natural flora and fauna, emphasising how the weeds and grasses, the trees on neighbouring properties and the hedging surrounding MCP encouraged local wildlife.   Evidence of nocturnal visitors include wombats, kangaroos, foxes and rabbits. It was noted that black, brown and tiger snakes have been sighted during the summer months.

Animals, birds, reptiles and insects are vital in maintaining a well-balanced environment.  MCP landscape plans include trees and plantings of many different plant species and varieties to encourage the wildlife population.  Rebecca also emphasised how the layout and design of the gardens and the amenities building have been carefully thought out to support visitors of all abilities.

From MCP, the student group moved to Kyneton Baptist Church Hall where they met Tony Cavedon, Project Manager at Windarring.  Tony explained the aims of Windarring, which is “a people centred, community-based organisation committed to eliminating barriers to participation, inclusion and acceptance for people with disabilities in their local community”.  One of the great successes of Windarring is the copy shop in Kyneton where a number of their clients work, producing high quality photocopying, printing and laminating.  It is planned that Windarring and MCP will collaborate in some future gardening projects.

The morning concluded with a talk from Noel Harvey OAM, former council member and Mayor of Macedon Ranges Shire Council and a community leader.  Noel discussed the growth and history of the Kyneton community, which has always been open and welcoming to people with disabilities.   He acknowledged that while Kyneton, and in fact Australia in general, could do better in providing disability access and facilities, we have come a long way in the last few years.  The students also had an opportunity to ask questions of both Tony and Noel.

** Placemaking is a worldwide movement focusing on the process, development and design of public or shared semi-private places through the active participation of the citizens. The aim of placemaking is to achieve place attachment which is linked to positive citizenship, health and safety. This subject outlines and critiques the placemaking process in relation to the long-term benefits of place.