Add my Name! - 'Letter of Support'

2010-03-07T20:17:00.028+11:00

Yes,

I want to add

my name *

to the following 'Letter of Support':

* whole name please, not first/given name or nickname

"I support the concept of retaining the full
Fortuna site - the Villa and gardens - with a use that maximizes
community involvement and access. The
Victorian government and/or the City of
Greater Bendigo Council should present
such a plan publicly and urgently promote this plan
to the current owners, the Federal government".

To add your name to the list of supporters

1. Click on word 'Comments' just below the red text below.
2. Scroll down to last name at bottom of list.
3. Enter e.g. - "Another supporter" or "I'm a supporter" or short supportive statement into the 'Leave your comments' box.
4. Copy the the displayed "Verification" code into the box provided (our blogsite anti-spam protection).
5. Scroll to 'Choose an identity'; click on 'Name/URL' and enter your Name (not just first/given name please!) in the Name box. You do not have to put anything in the URL box. We cannot track/identify you so your registration is only received by us as your signed-in full name, given in good faith.
DO NOT USE THE 'ANONYMOUS' OPTION AS THIS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
6. To finish registering as being a supporter of the Letter, you should click the 'Publish your comment' box. This will not appear immediately as this is a moderated site - be patient!

7. (Optional) Now that you have added your name, you could help us to mulitply the support by doing a 'copy and paste' of the red text below (RE: A Bendigo Blog) and sending it to those on your email address list who would be interested and willing to help the cause.
THANK YOU

NOTE: * This is a moderated site to register names of supporters for the 'Letter' above. Please understand that we/others cannot trace you from your posting on this blog.

If you have any comment of a more general nature regarding Fortuna, go to our website http://www.villafortuna.org.au/ OR
write a letter or send an email to the newspaper, City of Greater Bendigo council or a local Federal or State politician.

RE: A Bendigo Blog - for copying to friends

Hi -
I've added my name to a blog that is trying to get the Bendigo council and the Victorian government to talk with the Defence Department in Canberra about what will happen to 'Fortuna' (it's a mansion and gardens from the gold mining days).

The blog says that it shouldn't be cut up for development and a future use should be made of it so that there is public access and involvement for future generations.

Are you able to spend a few minutes adding your name to the list on the blog? And can you forward this to anyone in your address book who would be interested in preserving important Australian heritage?

http://www.charter4fortuna.blogspot.com/

Thanks. This is urgent - there are only a few weeks left before Decision Day.

The 8-point Charter

2009-10-20T09:57:00.001+11:00

This Charter provides a benchmark for community expectations for ANY proposed use of the Fortuna site.

1. Saving Fortuna for the people of Bendigo.
Fortuna needs to be preserved for the Bendigo community. We have a duty to look after and retain this majestic historic site, including the house and gardens for future generations.

2.Fortuna should become the 'jewel in the crown' of Bendigo attractions.
Fortuna has the potential to become the most famous historic icon and tourist attraction in Bendigo, complementing already famous sites such as the Shamrock Hotel and the Alexandra Fountain.

3. Fortuna as an accessible site for the widest community.
The Bendigo community and the wider Australian community should have frequent and extensive access to Fortuna - it should not result in a use that, even while 'preserving' the property, would lock it away or only provide for limited or exclusive access.

4. Integrity of the site.
It is important that the whole site with the Lansell-era garden area is retained. Recent heritge reports have emphasized the historic importance of the gardens. Retaining the whole site is most important for aesthetic reasons and future entrepreneurial type activities in the gardens.

5. Upholding a Heritage Management Plan.
The recommendation whereby the Federal Government transfers heritage controls to Heritage Victoria through registration on the Victorian Heritage Register should be supported. To uphold heritage controls, an Interim Heritage Order should cover any time gap during which responsibilities are being transferred from the Commonwealth to the State Government.

6. Involvement of the community - use of volunteers.
Involvement of community groups and interested parties in maintaining a dynamic 'Friends of Fortuna' organization would play an important role in staffing and maintenance of the property, in areas such as garden maintenance, tour guidance and information.

7. Historical importance of Fortuna.
The promotion of Bendigo's gold history and the history of the Lansells should play an important part in the development of Fortuna. This could include being the site for a first-class regional museum; historical displays in the Villa, and the re-instatement of the popular tours of the house and external features. The development of a National cartographic museum is also a potential attraction.

8. State government support in Fortuna's future.
Given the potential for Fortuna to become a Victorian 'must-see' venue, this Charter sees the financial involvement of the State as important, avoiding the sole responsibility resting with the Bendigo Council and its ratepayers. Furthermore, the Charter envisages any outcome of use of the Fortuna property as being predicated on sound commercial enterprise lines for a continuing viable use and community access.