Roadshow brings out artistic aspirations

By Kath Gannaway
MORE than 150 people took part in the Cultural Roadshow at Healesville that was held last month.
The event was part of a five-stop tour of Yarra Ranges Shire run by the Shire of Yarra Ranges to find out what residents want by way of arts, culture and heritage.
The potential development of the Healesville Memorial Hall was a recurring theme for residents of Healesville.
“People were very enthusiastic about seeing the Memorial Hall develop as a central hub in the town,” said Dion Teasdale, cultural planning and marketing co-ordinator with the shire’s arts, culture and heritage department.
“People are very passionate about the building, its history and its future development.
“They have a strong connection to the building and would like to see it developed and better utilised in the future and that’s something council is keen to work on with the community.”
A community festival also received more than a few votes.
Mr Teasdale said people indicated on the bulletin board that they thought a festival was important.
“It was identified as something people were keen to see in the town and what came across was that people see a festival as a way of engaging and celebrating community.”
The next step in the consultation process is the preparation of a draft cultural policy and action plan.
Mr Teasdale said he envisaged that the plan will contain a number of themes emerging from the consultation process and possibly reflecting the different preferences in different communities across the shire.
The draft policy is expected to go on exhibition around April next year.