Park pioneers commended for work

By Jim Mynard
RETIRED Berwick businessman Bill Hudson highly commended people who worked to acquire land for Berwick’s Pioneers Park.
Mr Hudson made his comments while presenting the National Trust Casey Cardinia Branch (NTCCB) with a $5000 donation to help equip a heritage room in the old Berwick Primary School building.
He told of the years battling to have the land set aside for community use.
“The council wasn’t enthusiastic at first, but the then Edrington Ward councillor Norma McCausland worked hard to support us,” Mr Hudson said.
He said he and others felt there was something wrong so they decided to each put $10,000 into a special fund to impress on the council that the community was serious about getting the land.
“We raised $140,000,” he said.
He said Mrs McCausland went to the council with this information and the council eventually supported the project.
Mr Hudson said it was necessary at the time for the money to be given in large amounts so it could be returned to people if the venture failed.
He told of disappointing times, such as when Mrs McCausland moved a motion that the council negotiate with the Department of Education to buy the land and did not receive a seconder.
“However, the tide turned in the council and councillors became interested in the project,” Mr Hudson said.
“They agreed to give us the open space contribution available and we soon felt we could get at least half the land.
“But the council did a swap deal with the Education Department and we were given the entire site.
“I would like to recognise Mrs McCausland’s role in this,” Mr Hudson said.