|
Bucketty
ATidy Bush Community
|
Images:
(1) Convict Wall
(2) Christmas Carols
(3) Concert
|
Christmas Carols and 5 Star Concerts
During 1994-1995 the Bucketty Community restored the convict-built wall on the Great North Road in Bucketty. This was the first initiative in the Convict Trail Project.
Built in 1830 the monument forms a natural amphitheatre to the surrounding bush. After a thorough clean-up of the area the site became a natural focal point for community activities. In December 1995 the Bush a-capella Group planned a Christmas Carols night that became an instant success. The first year 150 people attended the event, the next year the carol concert attracted 350 people and in 1997 the audience totalled 450. Events in 1998 and 1999 were equally successful. As with most activities in Bucketty, these events are jointly organised by Bucketty Tidy Bush and the Fire Brigade.
Another plan developed by local resident, Ian McLean, was launched in 1997. Over the last few years the Bucketty Bush Fire Brigade had organised an annual bush dance as their major fundraiser which, while successful, never generated large sums of money.
The new plan was to stage a proper concert at the wall. The convict wall site was upgraded into a great amphitheatre. The stage area was reorganised, temporary toilet facilities were organised and so on. Everything was ready for the community’s first Under the Stars Concert involving top artists from Opera Australia. The event was enormously successful, 350 paying guests and $5000 gross revenue.
After the successful Concert in 1997, it was decided to go ahead with plans that would include the creation of some basic facilities for future use of the site. All of this had to be removable, as the community didn’t want any permanent impact on either the historical site, or the natural bush. All of this was finalised before the 5 Star Concert and a Christmas Carols ‘season’ of 1998.
In October 1999 the community organised a different concert under the name ‘Convict Stock’ a combination of Aboriginal, Australian Bush and Irish music.
Every year the community organises the Christmas Carols, it has become one of the most important event for the community.
|
The Convict Trail Project
On Australia Day 1990 the community noticed that a large number of sandstone blocks had been stolen from a convict-built wall on the corner of the road to St Albans. The Bucketty community tried to get official authorities interested in preventing further damage and restoring the monument. While the Great North Road is classified as a national monument, no action was taken. Together with Wollombi Tidy Valley we established the Convict Trail Project. The project had a two-tiered approach;
• Act locally by restoring, cleaning up and maintaining the convict-built road and its monuments in the local area;
• Lift the plan state-wide/nationally to obtain overall support for the restoration, maintenance and promotion of this ‘240km museum of convict engineering’.
The Convict Trail Project quickly gained the support of the local communities along the Great North Road between Sydney and Newcastle, who began to take responsibility for the convict heritage in their area. More than 30 organisations, including Councils, Historical Societies, Tidy Towns, NPWS, NSW Heritage Council, State Authorities, National Trust and Australian Geographic, are participating in this project. The aim is to protect, restore, maintain and promote this unique piece of Australian heritage.
The Bucketty and Wollombi communities took a leading role in the early years and restored and cleaned up large sections of the Road within their communities. The latest project that is nearing completion is a redevelopment of the Convict Wall Precinct, with a walking trail, interpretation kiosk, picnic tables and parking facility
|
Convict Wall 1832
Abandoned loop of Great North Road, restored by the local Community. This loop can be seen on the right, and forms part of the Bucketty amphitheatre.
The gate forms part of visitors' area with information kiosk and picnic tables.
Photo: J Pengelly
|
Contact: Email Paul Budde ( Paul at Budde.com.au, after replacing 'at' with '@')
|
|