SINCE our inception four years ago, our U3A group has been conducting field trips around Tamworth in our “Learn about Tamworth” program.
On Wednesday this week, we arranged a picnic luncheon at the Marsupial Park to find out what has been happening since a volunteer group was formed to revive what had once been an enjoyable part of our lives with our young children, and had sadly been let go to ruin by council neglect, to the point that they were even talking of closing it down.
The volunteer group started working three years ago and the transformation is amazing. There is a wonderful new cockatoo cage (remember the horrible old one?). The cockies just love it. The walk- in aviary has been fixed up with a new roof and lots of beautiful and unusual birds. The bird noise and the activity is just delightful.
New paths, picnic and barbecue facilities have been installed and there are lots of new walks to explore the other areas where you will find other birds and animals.
Much of the work done by this hard-working volunteer group has been assisted by grants and the generous support of local companies who have supplied materials and labour.
The enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers was much in evidence when we were there, as they were very visible performing their multitude of tasks.
Enthusiasm exuded from Marilyn, who gave us a run down of the past three years work and the future plans for the park.
The evidence of their success was there on the day, with a great many families making good use of the facilities. The paths are even and quite navigable, even for older people. The trees and the plants in the gardens look healthy and well cared for. And everyone was happy.
Congratulations to the Marsupial Park volunteer group and a big thank you for all the work you are doing.
I do have to voice my criticism of the council for its neglect of the park and hope that it will offer some assistance with some of the hard work in the future.
Take your kids to the park these holidays. They will have a great time in a safe and stimulating environment. Hidden away in the valley above Brisbane St, the Tamworth Marsupial Park is one of our best kept secrets.
JAN MORRIS
TAMWORTH
