Opening day at Fairbridge Children’s Farm Park in March 2020. Photo: Clouston.
Fairbridge Children’s Park tells a story through landscape design of almost 1000 forced child migrants sent from Britain to Molong in regional NSW between 1938 and 1973.
The reality of life at Fairbridge Farm School proved very different to promises made before setting sail. The children experienced hardship, betrayal and limited opportunity.
In recent years the Prime Ministers of Australia and Great Britain, and the Premier of NSW, have offered apologies in their Parliaments, recognising the suffering of so many under the Fairbridge scheme.
Clouston landscape architects have designed an experience that tells the childrens’ story through landscape, at a park and highway rest stop adjacent to the original farm site.
The park was officially opened by senior Old Fairbridgians in March 2020.
Leonard Lynch, Clouston Associates’ Founding Director, says, “Many former Fairbridge kids see this park as a way to publicly identify as Fairbridgian. It’s a living legacy through which their families and future visitors will come to know their story.
“The appreciation, pride and gratitude of former residents is one of the most fulfilling aspects of working on this significant landscape.”
Old Fairbridgians cut the ceremonial ribbon.
Five Mall Seats from Street Furniture Australia are installed in the park, fixed with memorial plaques sponsored by the local community with messages of recognition and support.
The seats feature low-maintenance Wood Without Worry battens in Bush Cherry, and Charcoal Metallic frames.
Mall Seats, with woodgrain battens in Bush Cherry, and Charcoal frames. Photo: Clouston.Mall Seats with memorial plaques, sponsored by the community.Photo: Brenton Cox Photography.
Four linked zones designed by Clouston reflect phases in the journey of the children: from their origins in Britain, the passage across the world, experience of farm life and ‘how things turned out for them’ (life after Fairbridge).
“This will be a place of learning and reflection, that invites former residents and future generations to understand the significance of this forty year program,” say Clouston.
“Intended as a visitor attraction and heritage site, the park will be a place of beauty and tranquillity – an antidote to the hardship and isolation of its former residents.”
Design drawing: interpretive installation featuring the old school bell, by Clouston.
Installed: marking each day’s activity through the bell. Photo: Clouston.
Old Fairbridgians ring the bell at the park opening. Full-scale representation of a typical children’s cottage on the site. Storytelling through landscape: footpath timeline and signage.
Successful products are often followed by copycats. Over the past year we have become aware of an increase in reproductions of the Linea range attempting to create a similar aesthetic at a lower price. This can compromise the overall durability and environmental credentials of projects being delivered, affect ongoing maintenance requirements, and in some instances pose a risk of injury to the public. The design of Linea is deceptively simple while delivering exceptional attention to detail. Details matter not only for beauty, but also for providing durability, and safety, that will last decades. Linea strictly uses the highest quality and sustainable materials, has passed rigorous strength tests, and is designed for longevity, with easily replaceable parts. The product range is the result of hundreds of hours of research and development …
Melissa Gerke, our Communications and Education Specialist, is bringing a fun, interactive and informative presentation about our carbon neutral journey and latest products to customers in cities around Australia and in the US. In 30 minutes (plus Q&A) we will explore materials and finishes, touch and feel samples, and bond with your colleagues over delicious treats. There will also be a mystery prize for a lucky winner (optional). 2024 cities and dates include: Select from three catering options (optional): To book, contact Melissa Gerke mgerke@streetfurniture.com
Street Furniture Australia’s entire product range and manufacturing operation has received carbon neutral certification through Climate Active™. Achieving carbon neutral certification marks a significant milestone in our operation and the culmination of a four year long process of detailed measurement and analysis. Climate Active™ is the only Australian government-backed carbon neutral certification programme for businesses to measure, reduce, and offsets their carbon emissions. It is one of the most rigorous carbon-neutral programs in the world. An approved Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS) is central to achieving certification through Climate Active. Street Furniture Australia has elected to use SBTi validated science-based targets to ensure their ERS is meaningful and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement – to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. For those emissions that can’t be …
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Marrickville Public School is the winner of the $100,000 My Park Rules competition playground transformation. The contest, hosted by AILA and 202020 Vision, encouraged schools to submit ideas on how to reinvigorate their outdoor spaces. Jury Chair Kylie Legge, from Place Partners, says the winning New South Wales school’s community spirit inspired the jury of landscape and greening experts, which included Lucy Turnbull. “The community of students, staff and parents illustrates how the creation of a shared vision can also be a call to arms to be the change you want to see in the world,” she says. Expanses of hard asphalt will be lifted to make way for green space, including an orchard zone to grow food with the local community. Tract Consultants designed the new space in collaboration with the school. Proud sponsor …
