Tasmanian Arboretum
Participants involved with the Business & Employment Community Solutions Team are busily improving the facilities within a living museum. The Tasmanian Arboretum provides a growing catalogue of trees from around the world, established within country of origin groups, thereby providing an international arboreal experience for visitors without leaving Tasmanian soil.
Located at Eugenana, about 10 kilometers from Devonport, the Arboretum provides a unique location for the many community events hosted at the facility. Whether it is a quiet stroll amongst the trees or enjoying the annual jazz concert the Arboretum delights the community members that discover its existence.
The Work for the Dole participants have been working in the construction of an attractive stonework bridge and are getting the site ready for an extension of the existing Visitor’s Information Centre. Pictured below are the early stages of these additions to the Arboretum.
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February 2007 – Arboretum Visitors’ Information Centre Completed.
The Work for the Dole participants have been especially busy throughout the later part of 2006 gaining valuable building and construction skills whilst they complete the Arboretums Visitor Information Centre redevelopment. Working alongside a retired carpenter the jobseekers have really moved ahead in both the realization of their individual skills and capacities to achieve. The original Centre proved far too small as the popularity of the Tasmanian Arboretum continues to grow.
The manager of the Business & Employment Community Solutions Team, Mr. Ian Fawkner, stated “When community groups, like the Tasmanian Arboretum Committee, call upon the skill base that exists within their memberships, many being retired trades people, amazing results are possible. Not only are these funded projects achieved in record time but the transfer of skills assists the Work for the Dole participants become more attractive to future employers”.
The Tasmanian Arboretum hosts the annual Devonport Councils Jazz and classical music concert during late February each year. The completion of this new Centre by the Work for the Dole Team in readiness for this year’s concert will greatly add to the enjoyment of the occasion. Pictured below is the completed building.
