Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove blows into struggling Burnie suburb of Shorewell
THE weather was cold but the welcome was warm as Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Lynne Cosgrove paid their first visit to Burnie.
THE weather was cold but the welcome was warm as Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Lynne Cosgrove paid their first visit to Burnie.
“We have been to Tasmania before but never Burnie and we are delighted to be here,” the retired Australian Army officer said after braving a squall upon arrival.
The vice-regal couple spent time the struggling suburb of Shorewell, where grassroots groups are doing big things to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and lift community pride.
The couple chatted with staff and volunteers at Burnie Community House at Shorewell before meeting members of the Shorewell Park Community Development Working Group and Housing Choices, where they enjoyed lunch.
A visit to the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre and Burnie High School followed.
Among those to meet the Governor-General was John Cameron, a young trainee at the Hilltop Fresh Produce Project.
John started at the project as a Work for the Dole participant but is now looking to finish his training before branching out in his own business.
The project was created in 2014 to serve as a community food hub and improve access to good quality and affordable fresh produce.
The Shorewell Park Community Development Working Group was established to beautify the area and install infrastructure in its under-used park reserve.
“This project has gone beyond just beautifying an area within the community — it has facilitated greater community relations and instilled a real sense of ownership and pride over the area,” Burnie Mayor Anita Dow said.
“There has been a remarkable shift in the community’s mental health and wellbeing as well as a significant decrease in the amount of anti-social behaviour and graffiti.”
The Cosgroves also visited Devonport and Launceston.
Originally published as Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove blows into struggling Burnie suburb of Shorewell
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