StoryScape #7

Jen Sykes is a participant of Allwood House and member of The Great Tree Collective, a passionate group who meet every Friday in the Allwood Art Space. They are eco printing a life size Eucalyptus Regnans tree to honor and build awareness of the critically endangered Mountain Ash forests of Australia and the wildlife that call them home.

Marie Hearn is a member of The Great Tree Collective who meet at Allwood House in the Art Space every Friday. The Collective are a group of crafters and artists from the community who come together to raise awareness about the importance of hollow bearing trees. They began and are still creating an incredible 80 metre mountain ash tree in 2019, from eco-dyed fabric.

Marie Hearn is a member of The Great Tree Collective who meet at Allwood House in the Art Space every Friday. The Collective are a group of crafters and artists from the community who come together to raise awareness about the importance of hollow bearing trees. They began and are still creating an incredible 80 metre mountain ash tree in 2019, from eco-dyed fabric.

John Lovegrove was a lifelong Hurstbridge local who wrote ‘Recollections Hurstbridge 1950’s

A Picture of Hurstbridge in the 1950’s’ that tells some great anecdotes of life in rural Victoria. His wife Pat moved into the area from England as a young woman and together they enjoyed life and events around Allwood House. Pat was President of the CWA amongst many other careers and adventures involving Nissen huts! Levin Burtscher is a member of The Bridge Collective in Hurstbridge. He was in charge of lighting The Bridge community play, and has played numerous roles in other historical skits.

Carol Jenkinson (nee Stuchbery) has lived in Nillumbik all her life (except when she was travelling overseas)

Carol grew up in Yarrambat on the family farm and went firstly to Yarrambat Primary School and then to Hurstbridge High School.

Carol moved to Cottles Bridge in 1992 and is married with three children. Her children went to Arthurs Creek Primary School and then onto Hurstbridge High School and their respective training for their jobs.

Carol is a serial volunteer. She volunteered at the age of 13 to teach Sunday School in Yarrambat and since then has been a volunteer with many groups, most in Nillumbik but also beyond. Some of these include:-
• Steamrail Victoria
• Melbourne Valley of the Arts Tourism Board
• Wesley Central Mission
• Yarra Valley Regional Tourism Board
• Nillumbik Tourism Association
• Hurstbridge Preschool Committee
• Arthurs Creek Primary School Council
• Diamond Valley College Council
• Panton Hill Football Netball Club
• St John’s Anglican Church – Parish Council and Playgroup and Mainly Music
• ….and more

Carol is currently a proud director with Valley Community Financial Services – Bendigo Community Bank and coordinator of the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival (and a few other things)

Carol is a ‘railfan’ with a love of all things steam – especially steam trains and that is how she first became involved with the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival.

Her presentation tells of how the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival began and the important role Allwood House has played.

In 1864, Sarah Ellen Hurst, the sister of Henry, wrote a letter to a friend back in Dorset, England, telling of her new life with her family in Victoria and that Allwood was their “very own Eden”. The original letter penned by Sarah Ellen is kept in the historical archives at Allwood House.
Hailie McKirgan is a member of The Bridge Collective and played the part of Sarah Ellen Hurst in the community play, The Bridge.