By Sue Thompson, Lilydale and District Historical Society
Yarra Ranges Council draft council plan for 2021-25 titled Safer, Stronger, Together should be adopted later this month.
From a heritage perspective, it is wonderful the draft plan now incorporates the Value of History Statement which has been endorsed by state and national heritage organisations, museums and many historical societies.
Yarra Ranges is arguably the first municipality to do so. What will it mean to our community?
The Statement is short:
Value of History
We acknowledge that history shapes our identities, engages us as citizens, creates inclusive communities, is part of our economic well-being, teaches us to think critically and creatively, inspires leaders and is the foundation of our future generations.
When the Statement was released it was an inspiration to me because it summed up the importance of our history – First People’s and European– past, present and future.
I approached the Yarra Ranges Heritage Network (YRHN) which represents all heritage groups in Yarra Ranges and the representatives unanimously agreed to endorse the Statement and allow me to make a presentation on their behalf to the council.
Below is part of what I said to the councillors on November 26, 2019.
Everyone is different and special. Our identities have been moulded by our parents, siblings, where we were born, where we lived, where we went to school, our jobs, our husbands, wives and children.
In turn, we draw on these life stories, our personal histories when we participate in activities in the communities we live in – be it sports, schools, social organisations etc. We join them and become part of their story and in turn we help influence and shape these groups when we become involved in fund-raising, working bees, serving on the committees or simply selling hot dogs at the canteen on sports days.
This involvement adds to our knowledge and understanding of our community, what it is, and who we are. We have become engaged citizens and in even just a small way, have helped shape and support our community to make it a better place for all of us. This is the value of history.
You may ask how does history foster economic growth? Often heritage groups are accused of trying to stop development and progress. History is not about stopping development, it is about setting that project or development into its community context. History tells us about the past. For example, why is Melba Park located where it is?
There are similar examples in every town in this municipality. Answering these questions lets us see what happened in the past and then make the judgement: do we keep it; do we still need it or can we put a modern interpretation on to it. We can put it into its context and through interpretation link the past, present and future together to provide a sense of identity in our community, a sense of place.
Through the council’s various projects you are not just building and planning for today, you are building for the future. The decisions you take today will be your lasting legacy to our community and will become part of our community’s history.
I concluded by making two requests:
1. The Value of History statement inserted in the council’s own Vision statement.
2. All council projects, big and small be referred to the local heritage group for its input so each project is put into its community context. Officers may reject the group’s suggestions but at least they can make informed decisions based on sound knowledge of place. This procedure at the planning stages may save hours of angst and controversy later.
It is pleasing to see both the above requests have been implemented by council and staff.
Download the complete Value of History Statement at https://lilydalehistorical.com.au/news-events-lilydale-district-historical-society-inc/
Contact Sue Thompson, Lilydale & District Historical Society. Phone: 0475 319 884, email: info@lilydalehistorical.com.au website: lilydalehistorical.com.au
