Local history celebrated with Civic Park signage

Published on 17 July 2023

Residents and visitors alike can easily explore the rich history and natural significance of Drouin Civic Park thanks to new interpretive signage recently installed to highlight notable locations and features.

In total, seven signs have been installed throughout Drouin’s Civic Park acknowledging:

Each sign shares local stories and information, shining a spotlight on the sites’ historical and natural importance.

A launch ceremony and walking tour took place earlier today to officially acknowledge the signage.

Numerous attendees with close ties to the project joined the celebrations, including Baw Baw Shire Mayor and Councillors, representatives of Friends of Drouin Trees, Keith Pretty and family, Jenny Boeyen and Karen Thomson (family of Leo Boeyen), Helen Timbury (the signs’ designer), Beau Ledger of Drouin Signs (responsible for their manufacture), members of the Project Reference Group, Council officers and community members.

The Mayor of Baw Baw Shire, Councillor Annemarie McCabe, delivered a brief speech, expressing her appreciation for the collaborative efforts that made the interpretive signage project a reality.

"It is just wonderful to see the completed signs installed here in Civic Park, and to think of all the people who will now have the opportunity to explore the park and learn all about each location’s natural features and history," said Cr McCabe.

“The signage project was undertaken as part of an overarching masterplan for the park and is the direct outcome of the thorough community consultation conducted as part of the masterplan’s development.”

“The signs were something our community really wanted to see, and I’d like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to all those involved in bringing this project to life.”

In developing the signs and their content Friends of Drouin’s Trees played a central role, supplying much of the historical content recorded in the signs.

“I think this signage really matters,” says Friends of Drouin's Trees representative Judy Farmer. “If you don’t have the signs, you don’t have the context, the significance and that glimmer of history. And so our purpose – and I’m really grateful to be able to do this while Jenny Boeyen [wife of Leo Boeyen] is still with us and while Keith [Pretty] is still with us – was to acknowledge the incredible contributions made by them. They are not small contributions. They are huge.”  

The signage is now proudly on permanent display throughout Drouin’s Civic Park.

John Franklin looks on at John Grubb Park sign.

Jenny Boeyen and Karen Thomson with Drouin's Father of Parks and Gardens sign.

Helen Timbury and Leonie Blackwell with Path of Achievement sign.

Keith Pretty with Keith Pretty and the Sound Shell sign.

Judy Farmer, Cr Keith Cook, Cr Peter Kostos, Mayor Annemarie McCabe and Helen Timbury with History of Civic Park Sign.