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Discipline: Education
Project Role: School History Display

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CAP Role:
My role and contribution to the Gormanston town event will be to work with students who attend ‘Queenstown Primary School’ to create a Gormanston school history display for the event we are hosting.

The school history display will enable students across each year level, from Foundation through to year six, to work collaboratively together in contributing to, and creating the school history display. However, due to working with students of all different ages, their interests and abilities will be diverse. Therefore, though each year level will be participating in the school history display, their research, contributions and productions will of course vary accordingly.
Each year level will be conducting research on the Gormanston towns history, prior to presenting their findings and knowledge in various different forms. These forms could include, but are not limited to; assorted and informative written literature, clay sculptures and drawings and/ or paintings of the following:

·      The Gormanston town - this could include when it was a thriving mining town, and/ or with a comparison of what the town is today.

·      Maps

·      Miners / residents of Gormanston

·      West Coast Wilderness Railway

·      The first post office on Tasmania’s West Coast (Gormanston Post Office) as well as other historical buildings within Gormanston.

·      Disastrous happenings that have occurred in Gormanston.

·      Why Gormanston should be helped and revived.

While the school history display aims to contribute to the event, by helping to save Gormanston, and bringing awareness of and about its current state, the style in which the display is undertaken intends to be an educational, yet fun, gratifying and enjoyable experience for all students involved. Furthermore, an experience that unites Queenstown with its neglected neighboring town ‘Gormanston’.

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Origination of Project:
Following the establishment of our group for the Community Arts Project, each member of the group took the time to contribute ideas as to what they thought the project could be about and/ or for. Approximately a week after partaking in various collaborations of project ideas, one of the group members brought to our attention the small town of ‘Gormanston’ located in Tasmania. I, like other members of the group embarked on some light research about the town, after reading the heart felt plea from the Gormanston residents urgently requiring assistance for their town. It quickly became very apparent that our group felt passionate about helping the Gormanston town and residents, and we merrily settled on dedicating our project to aiding the town of Gormanston.

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Why Gormanston?
In the early 1900’s, Gormanston was once a lively and vibrant mining town that was home to more than 2,000 residents. Today, the town is sadly referred to as a ‘ghost town’ with less than a dozen people permanently living in the town. This is due to several disasters occurring in the town over the years, with the first being a fire that killed forty-two people. Containing over grown flammable bush, derelict buildings, and fragmented paving, the West Coast Council appear to have somewhat forgotten the Gormanston town and residents, whilst neglecting and failing to adhere to the town’s needs, and the residents’ ever-present pleas for help. However, despite the council’s neglect, and the poor living conditions of town, the small minority of remaining residents continue to fight for a rejuvenation of the town, a preservation and recognition of the towns historical significance, and to essentially keep Gormanston alive. Residents of the town, among friends and family of the residents have recently launched an online petition to restore and save their beloved town.

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'School History Display' -  Time allocation
To effectively incorporate the school history display into the school curriculum, and into each students’ subject timetable, a meeting will be held with the teachers who work at the ‘Queenstown Primary School’. During the meeting, a collaboration among the teachers and myself will take place regarding how we can effectively allocate sufficient time for the students to work on their school history display. A few suggestions that I will put forward at the meeting will include; the students working on their history display during ‘Art classes’, as well as tying productions for the the display into ‘History classes’ (Paintings, drawings, clay sculptures and other 'art based' activities/ creations can be undertaken during art lessons. Research on the town of Gormanston, and any written literature can be undertaken during history lessons). That way the students’ timetables will remain the same, to avoid both teacher and student confusion, and to avoid the student’s missing out on partaking in other subject’s e.g. English or Physical education etc., due to working on the display.
I will also put forward a suggestion about occupying a classroom during lunch time, one or two days per week, to enable the students to work on any additional contributions they would like to add to the display, or any productions they may wish to finish. Once the meeting has been held, and a ‘plan of action’ has been agreed upon, and is in place, I will email each teacher a copy of the plan for them to refer to if/ when need be.

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School History Display Envision:

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The benefits of group work for students:
As you may, or may not already know, group work and active collaboration is something I am very passionate about. From projects such as what we are currently doing, right down to early childhood, group work can facilitate many benefits for all involved.

Below I have attached a ‘Promoting group work, collaborative and co-operative learning in the primary school tip sheet for teachers’ booklet, that has been retrieved from - http://www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Session%203%20-%20PS%20Co%20-%20Op%20%EF%80%A2%20Group%20Work.pdf

While I understand that not all of the information listed relates specifically to the group work students will be partaking in for their school history display, it does discuss in quite some detail, the benefits of group work, what it promotes, and what it enables students to experience, gain and achieve.

A more ‘brief’ dot pointed listing can be read on the following link:

https://sydney.edu.au/education_social_work/groupwork/docs/BenefitsOfGW.pdf

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Group Work Tip Sheet Booklet for Teachers

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History Display Supplies
I have done some research regarding art supplies, for students to utilize when creating their productions for the display. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any craft shops in ‘Queenstown’ for me to approach for donations and/ or purchases. The nearest art supply shops are in ‘Somerset’ and ‘Devonport’ which are located outside (east) of Queenstown. Therefore, during the ‘Time Allocation’ meeting which I have discussed on a previous post, I will also be discussing the school’s art supply budget, and available resources. I am surmising that due to being a primary school, the school will have most of the resources needed such as a display board, clay, coloured paper, and coloured paint etc. However, as previously mentioned this will be discussed at the meeting. Scenario one would be that the school does have available resources for the students to utilize for their history display, and no additional purchases will be required. Scenario two would be that the school is currently lacking resources, and therefore money would need to be allocated from the schools ‘art supply budget’ for us to purchase supplies with. Scenario three would be that the school does not having neither (available funds or resources for the display) and therefore art supply stores outside of Queenstown would need to be approached/ contacted in hope for donations.

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Touring Gormanston with Students
Children’s learning is heightened when they are able to fabricate their knowledge through active inquiry and exploration. However, due to the Gormanston towns crumbling pavements, storm like winds, derelict buildings, and over grown and flammable bush, the town would be deemed unsafe for school students to visit. At least prior to our clean-up of the town, and the area we will be utilising/ occupying for the event. Nevertheless, before the students begin to embark on their research, and commence their school history display, I think a tour of the town would not only be of benefit to the students by giving them a virtual feeling, and mental imagery of town, it would also provide them some additional insight as to why we are doing what we are (the event). Therefore, prior to creating the school history display, students in each year level will be given a live tour of, and through, the Gormanston town, using ‘Google Earth’.

I have been experimenting with, and exploring Gormanston, using google earth, and I think this would be an absolutely fantastic resource and experience for students of all ages. Google earth enables you to view Gormanston and its surroundings with a bird’s eye view, 3D rotating view, 2D view, and as though you are a person walking the streets of the town. If you haven’t yet had chance to explore Gormanston using google earth, or any place for that matter, I highly recommend it!

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Parent Consent Forms
Though all students who attend 'Queenstown Primary School' will of course be invited to attend the event, depending upon the size of the ground we have cleared and will be utilising for the event, there may not be enough room for the entire school to stand around their school history display. Therefore, two students from each year level will be invited and chosen to stand and represent the school history display at the event wearing their school uniform. However, prior to the students attending the event to exhibit their display, each students parent/ guardian will be required to complete an excursion consent form. This form is absolutely mandatory when students are in the care of teachers outside of school and needs to be completed prior to the day of the event. The consent form will be sent home with each student, along with a detailed informative letter about the Gormanston event, where it will be held, what it will entail, and the reason for doing the school history display project and event.

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Promoting awareness and encouraging volunteers/ attendees to the event:
To promote awareness of and about the town of Gormanston, and encourage parents and members of the Queenstown community to help out and/ or at least attend the event, informative notices will be displayed and distributed using the following:
- School notice board, both outside of the school and within the school
- School newsletter
- School website
- Student 'take home' letter
The informative notices will provide a comprehensive overview of:
- The Gormanston towns neglect
- Plea for help/ assistance
- The school history display
- Event details (location, time and date) including what the event aims to achieve
-  Volunteers section that provides a list of voluntary jobs that can be carried our prior to the event (cleaning and tidying of the town, holding a stall, contributions etc), as well as a list of roles that can be employed on the day of the event.

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This fund also provides grants to not for profit organisations: "community wellbeing...community participation and recreation; connecting communities; and culture, arts and heritage" are the outlines provided for eligible projects. They offer three different grants: small (up to $20K), medium ($20K-$90K) and large ($100K-$300K). Medium and Large funds require a 10% organisation contribution (although this may be provided by another funding source), however I would guess that a Small grant would be enough to cover this stage.

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Tasmanian Community Fund was established in 1999 following the sale of the Trust Bank. The Fund provides grants to not-for-profit organisations and is administered by an independent board. Learn more...

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The Marketing Tasmania Grant offered through Events Tasmania offers $10,000 in matched funding for an event that will encourage new visitors to Tasmania or regional areas. Again, applicants must be members of an organisation geared toward the event, and must include a marketing campaign aimed at reaching out and bringing in new visitors.

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Events Tasmania offers a range of funding and development opportunities to encourage event organisers to stage their next event in Tasmania.

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Discipline: Writing and Publishing
CAP Role: Chairperson and Communications
As chairperson it is my responsibility to promote the flow of ideas and help provide guidance to fellow team members
My CAP role in the project is the researching of opportunities and the coordination of communications to arrange these. I investigated grants and funding available and the requirements and applications processes of these. I found many that would be suitable for the project, as follows. I will also be reaching out to volunteers with requests for help, and sourced useful sites for this. The internet is a massively useful tool for this reason, as it reaches far further than the small town ever could without it. It is therefore important to employ it in sourcing volunteers who could potentially visit from across the country - or further
This project is important to me because it combines our disciplines and skills for a worthy cause. Gormanston badly needs a project like this, to feature its history to save the town, before it becomes nothing but a memory.
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Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

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Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal

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The FRRR aims to help rebuild communities through regeneration and development, aid in fund raising for works and provide a level of expertise to guide projects. To be eligible,  the project must be not for profit and contribute solely to the care of a community in rural Australia. While the coordinators much register themselves as an organisation, FRRR does allow for the organisation to employ them as one of a number of funding sources.

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foundation for rural and regional renewal

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FRRR - Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal

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FRRR Champions the Economic and Social Strength of Australia's Regional, Rural and Remote Communities through Partnerships with the Private Sector, Philanthropy and Governments.

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The majority of funding available requires that the receiver be an incorporated organisation. Therefore, the project coordinators must register themselves as a not for profit organisation, with ABN, through which all expenses can be routed and cataloged.
To become an incorporated organisation there is a small cost of $27.90 (barring any complications in the paperwork), and is as easy as assigning committee roles, setting out rules and choosing a name, then filling out the Application for Incorporation form and submitting to the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading branch of the Tasmanian Government.

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Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading : Home

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Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Home Page

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This fund is available to organisations geared toward supporting a community through infrastructure works which benefit the general public. This cannot be used for events, but can be used to improve buildings, streets and recreation areas: the beginning of setting up the event.

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department of economic development tourism and the arts

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department of infrastructure energy and resources

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Community Infrastructure Fund | Department of State Growth

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The Department of State Growth actively pursues investment, facilitates major projects, supports business and industry to grow, and ensures we are investing strategically in infrastructure.

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Volunteering Tasmania is a site that matches organisations with volunteers for a wide range of projects. Organisers can sign up for free and create an advert which volunteers can apply for. The site also provides free training courses for organisers to help them in their recruitment and selection process and in managing their resources: this training would be useful for leading members in the community to develop skills to manage the volunteers themselves.

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Behind great volunteer experiences is effective leadership and management. Volunteering Tasmania is passionately committed to supporting Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs), through the provision of information and advice.

Managers of volunteers are invited to come along to our Network Meetings, held regularly in the North, North West, and South of the state. These sessions are free of charge. Find out more.

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Behind great volunteer experiences is effective leadership and management. Volunteering Tasmania is passionately committed to supporting Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs), through the provision of information and advice. Managers of volunteers are invited to come along to our Network Meetings, held regularly in the North, North West, and South of the state.

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Discover Tasmania is a website that, amongst other areas, includes tourist information on the West Coast. They also send out regular email newsletters with visitor information and events. To add a listing is free, and contact information is readily available. This is one avenue that will be used to get the word out about Gormanston and The Event.

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On Tasmania's West Coast you'll find world famous wilderness rich in convict heritage, stunning national parks and historic mining towns.

Gateway to Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area, its rugged mountains, ancient rain forests and heath make Tasmania's west one of Australia's last true wilderness frontiers. Yet, despite its remoteness, its easy and safe to visit and travellers can still enjoy the best of Tasmania's quality accommodation and fine dining.

Tasmania's west is often remembered for the conflict between forestry workers and environmentalists to save the flooding of Lake Pedder, and once you visit you'll get an idea of what the protest was all about.

The largest coastal town is Strahan, situated on Macquarie Harbour and close to Sarah Island - one of the harshest penal colony settlements in Australia.

The inland population centres of Queenstown and the smaller towns of Zeehan, Tullah and Rosebery are rich in mining history and are all within a short distance of magnificent lakes, rivers, rainforests, giant sand dunes and historic sites.

There are so many ways to experience Tasmania's west, from wild forest adventures to luxury cruises on crystal clear waterways or simply by car.

Visitors can experience this world heritage wilderness by driving for around 60 km along the Lyell Highway between Derwent Bridge and Lake Burbury. Bordering the highway are a series of stunning short walks through rainforest with views into the rugged mountain ranges of Tasmania's west. Keep an eye out for signs to Donaghy's Lookout, the Franklin River Nature Trail and the Nelson Falls Nature Trail - all highly recommended.

Itinerary

For more on what to do on Tasmania's West Coast see our self-drive itinerary West Coast Wilderness

Regional partner website

For more local information on Tasmania's Western Wilderness visit http://www.tasmaniasnorthwest.com.au/

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On Tasmania's West Coast you'll find world famous wilderness rich in convict heritage, stunning national parks and historic mining towns. Gateway to Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area, its rugged mountains, ancient rain forests and heath make Tasmania's west one of Australia's last true wilderness frontiers.

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This is a look to the future for the town, as a next step following the event to rebuild the buildings within the town.
The Heritage, Education and Skills Centre (HESC) has created this project to serve two purposes: rebuild heritage buildings that can't quite afford the work and educate in the process by recruiting volunteers aged 16-25 to labour in exchange for essential building skills. On the job training. Funds are provided by TBCITB (Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board) who require that works exceed $20,000 with a 0.2% levy paid on the value exceeding this.
HESC must be contacted directly with an appeal for a course to be held in a certain area.

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Centre for Heritage, Oatlands Tasmania | Conservation, restoration and preservation of heritage buildings, stonemasonry, masonry

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The Centre for Heritage at Oatlands, Tasmania is committed to the restoration and conservation of heritage buildings and sites for valued re-use.

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SEEK job site also offers a volunteering section, where organisations can post adverts for volunteers. However, the job offer must come from a registered organisation with ABN, Volunteer Personal Accident Insurance and Public Liability

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Volunteering Opportunities in Tasmania TAS | SEEK Volunteer

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Find the right Volunteering opportunity for you on SEEK Volunteer. Select from the options that suit your needs for accurate Volunteering Results

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Facebook has become so ubiquitous and is not to be overlooked as a medium to market the event through. With pages such as the West Coast Community Board and West Coast Markets n Events and more, it is very easy to spread the word to thousands of people very quickly

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Discipline: Librarianship & Corporate Information Management
CAP Role:  Archives Management and Library Display.
My contribution to the Preservation of History event at Gormanston will be to co-ordinate with the Queenstown local library in sourcing archived historical and current materials (newspaper articles, photos and important documents) relevant to Gormanston and the surrounding areas.  This will displayed as a freestanding display at the Queenstown library leading up to the event and transported to Gormanston for the major event day.

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An event could be held in Gormanston to commemorate the postal history of the town; the post office opened in 1891 and closed in 1979.
This event/exhibition could feature stamps from the period, postmarks, currency etc.
It would also be possible to incorporate the history of post offices from surrounding towns such as Crotty, which may be of interest as the town is now submerged under nearby Lake Burbury.
This exhibition could provide the impetus for the renovation/renewal of the post office building (pictured here in 1980, only 1 year after closing).
Stamps, coins, and other historical postal materials seem to have a relatively large number of enthusiasts; by inviting the Tasmanian Philatelic Society (http://www.tps.org.au/) to assist with this exhibition, we would not only gain access to historical materials, but would gain access to their membership and possibly increase our audience numbers.

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There is an existing Facebook group called "Friends of Gormanston" that shares historical pictures and other information about the fight to save the town. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/118771225334007/ )
The group administrator is already planning a historical walking trail of Gormanston (see post July 26th). If we could provide this person with any needed funding/volunteers, we could utilise their existing work and local knowledge to provide an educational tour to visitors. It would also allow a community member to showcase their town, and generate interest in why it should be saved.

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The focus and goal of the display will be to personalize the town of Gormanston.
My role would be to work with the Queenstown local library in sourcing materials for the display with a focus on photos - men in the mines, the towns buildings at their best, the present residents and the town mayor (and local character).  Adding historical items to the display like old bottles, town souvenirs and things from the mining days adds a touch of real life to the display.  The "Friends of Gormanston" facebook page has connected many people who have personal connections to the town - getting in touch with the Administrator and asking for support from the group and extending personal invitations to the event day would be a great way to source both items of interest and personal stories that could be added to the display.