Newmarket station to be repaired not demolished

The latest news is that the Station building will now be restored, not demolished. It seems like a miracle. Refer to the Flemington Association web page for more detailed information.

Find more old photos of Flemington at the Flemington Association web page under Heritage.

The Wabi-sabi seat

As we move into winter we notice subtle changes to the weathered old railway sleeper seats; a beautiful transformation as moss and lichen begin to appear on the surface of the timbers. 

What has occurred is an example of the Japanese concept of Wabi-sabi: the aesthetic of things impermanent, weathered and imperfect.The moss and lichen enhance the aged, but still strong, red gum timbers; Nature's response to cooler temperatures and rain. Come summer and the patina will change.

I can no-longer contemplate any thought of removing these timbers and replacing them with new. We will have to incorporate the imperfect seat into our new seating design.

Ros

For an expansion on the concept of Wabi-sabi go to:  www.globalonenessproject.org/WabiSabi ‎

Working bee 3rd June 2014

At least two of the regular Stationeers are away at the moment but we still mustered six volunteers this morning despite drizzling rain. After picking up bucket loads of rubbish and bottles and doing a little light weeding, the station embankment is looking much better. Thanks, Thomas, Ed, Marina, Ian and Roger.         

From the number of germinating weeds we pulled out today, we will need to concentrate on weeding plus some planting at the next working bee when the poplars have dropped all their leaves, exposing a few areas at the top. Anywhere that weeds germinate is suitable for selected ground covers- plants that don't mind total shade in summer but will out compete winter germinating weeds. We could relocate plants from under the station if needs be. meanwhile, I will do some propagating.

Ros Nataprawira

One of the autumn-winter bloomers

Station to be partially demolished

March, 2012 Demolition of old ramp and stairs

Since 2010 a group of dedicated volunteers have established a beautiful garden at the station. We would like to see the garden protected, whether the station building is replaced with a new one or the existing historic building saved. The decision to demolish the station building this month seems very rushed.We knew that eventually further construction would have to happen at the station but hoped the props would hold the old building up for many years. We would not have continued to plant and maintain a garden under and around the station building if we had been told that demolition of the station was planned for 2014. We are still very much in the dark. Will there be enough time to save the plants that can be shifted? How much access will the demolition contractor's need? How much of the garden will be destroyed during the demolition? How long will the Stationeer's garden be inaccessible to us? Will there be a landscape plan included in the redevelopment ?

Last time anything like this happened in March 2012, the Stationeers were not given any prior notice. We held a working bee the week before and planted under the station ramp. On the following Saturday morning the ramp and station stairs were demolished. Only one original plant remained under the station and heavy machinery had driven over other parts of our recently planted garden to gain access to demolition of the ramp. We started again from scratch. Now the garden is only a year away from reaching its full potential. We hope most of it can be saved and that any works done at the station are sensitive to both the history of Flemington and the adjacent garden.

Ros Nataprawira

Smiling Stationeers after one of our monthly working bees in 2013

Ideas for landscaping the seated area

Ideas to inspire us to plan a new seating area at Newmarket Station. More photos to come. Email me any photos you would like to contribute to the discussion and I will post them on the blog.
Ros

Warrandyte Uniting Church Peace Garden birdbath. Designer: Bev Hansen

Recycled timber table and seats. Hansen garden, Warrandyte.

 Basalt boulder birdbath

Californian conversation pit

Working Bee April 28th, 2014

Despite short notice, seven volunteers turned up at the April working bee. We had a very productive morning, mainly planting salt bushes under the peppercorn, clearing masses of litter, plus watering- then it rained for the next 24 hours; perfect timing. The Poa grasses pruned seven weeks ago have all grown back, rejuvenated and green; we obviously chose the right time of year to prune them.   

There is scope to inter-plant the lower embankment with summer-flowering indigenous perennials. Ordering plants: native bluebells and yellow and white daisies this week for a late winter/spring planting. 

Correa "Granny's Grave"

working bee invitation

Area needing landscaping

There will be a working bee on Monday, April 28th at 9:30 am. April has been a disrupted month, with the East West Link Public Hearings & Easter. This will be the first working bee for nearly seven weeks. We are focusing our planting at the Peppercorn tree end. Meet at the seats pictured. Bring gloves, hand tool and a bucket. It's hard to establish plants in this area because it is both shady and very dry. The peppercorn leaves also seem to contain a chemical that suppresses other plants however experiments with several plants are showing promising results and I have struck some cuttings of those that have worked best. 
There is construction work that needs to be done around the seating area for which we will need to employ a professional. Does anyone know a local builder or landscaper? The plan is to renovate the existing seats rather than demolish and replace them and possibly incorporate the collapsed timber into a retaining edge of a planter box for which we will import some good quality composted soil to plant up with attractive shade-loving foliage plants.
Ros