A planned retreat in Kyneton, Mark’s Country Place, aims to provide a safe space for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to come together, rest, learn new skills and engage with nature.
The project has a specific focus on people with disabilities and aims to promote mental, physical and social wellness and create a stronger, more connected community.
Although no actual building or development work has begun on Mark’s Country Place, the owners are in consultation with engineers and designers on finalising the plans and preparing costings.
A group of Melbourne University students from The Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, incorporating the Melbourne School of Design, visited the site recently.
MCP co-owner Stuart Colvin said that as part of their elective subject, Place Making in the Built Environment, the students were studying MCP as their placemaking project.
“Student teams are working together to design, implement and evaluate this placemaking project as a catalyst for change,” Stuart said. “It will include a final presentation and a written report on the placemaking project.”
The students spent much of their time walking over the property led by Rebecca Gray, Landscape Architect, who has designed and developed the landscape plans for MCP.
“As they walked, Rebecca pointed out the natural flora and fauna, emphasising how the weeds and grasses, the trees on neighbouring properties and the hedging surrounding MCP encouraged local wildlife,” Stuart said.
“Evidence of nocturnal visitors include wombats, kangaroos, foxes and rabbits. It was noted that black, brown and tiger snakes have been sighted during the summer months.
“Animals, birds, reptiles and insects are vital in maintaining a well-balanced environment.
“MCP landscape plans include trees and plantings of many different plant species and varieties to encourage the wildlife population. “Rebecca also emphasised how the layout and design of the gardens and the amenities building have been carefully thought out to support visitors of all abilities.”
From MCP, the student group moved to Kyneton Baptist Church Hall where they met Tony Cavedon, project manager at Windarring.
Tony explained the aims of Windarring, which are “a people centred, community-based organisation committed to eliminating barriers to participation, inclusion and acceptance for people with disabilities in their local community”.
One of the great successes of Windarring is the copy shop in Kyneton where a number of their clients work, producing high-quality photocopying, printing and laminating.
It is planned that Windarring and MCP will collaborate in some future gardening projects.
The morning concluded with a talk from Noel Harvey OAM, former mayor of Macedon Ranges.
Noel discussed the growth and history of the Kyneton community, which has always been open and welcoming to people with disabilities. He acknowledged that while Kyneton, and in fact Australia in general, could do better in providing disability access and facilities, we have come a long way in the past few years.
– Placemaking is a worldwide movement focusing on the process, development and design of public or shared semi-private places through the active participation of citizens. The aim of placemaking is to achieve place attachment, which is linked to positive citizenship, health and safety.
