Posted by Gordon Cheyne

Hawthorn Rotarians braved a cold and windy Sunday to celebrate the 21stbirthday of the Ftritsch Holzer Park.

The park was named after Augustus Fritsch and the Holzer brothers who formed the Upper Hawthorn Brick Company in 1883. The factory employed around 50 people and produced 250,000 bricks a week, which were used throughout Victoria.

Council bought the area in 1972 and used it as a landfill site until 1986, then as a temporary waste transfer station until 1989. In the years that followed the site was left empty to allow the landfill to stabilise.

Council, together with the Federal and Victorian Governments, and the Rotary Club of Hawthorn, reconstructed the area into a park in 1995.

Boroondara Council had arranged dozens of grass and shrubs to add to the planted areas, and dozens of volunteers turned up to help. Starting at 10am, they planted 2,000 trees/shrubs/grasses and had the job completed by noon: great work! 

Hawthorn Rotary’s barbecue and a coffee stall were kept busy serving refreshmants: many stayed on for a chat, and to hear the presentation. Even the Honorable Josh Frydenberg MP made an appearance, (to assist with the quality control  ;-) 

President Ian Bentley introduced Mayor Jim Parke, who gave a brief summary of the history of the brickworks, and how local government had joined with Hawthorn Rotary to establish the park, with Federal Government funding.

Our member for Hawthorn, John Pesutto included some young volunteers to assist in his energetic presentation.

President Ian thanked the volunteers for their contribution to the improvement of this wonderful amenity, and PP Katrina Flinn for  organising the event.

Photos: 

Girl Guides at work in the shrubbery

A happy group of community volunteers

Hawthorn Rotary Barbecue, with sampler Josh Frydenberg MHR

Cutting the cake: John Pesutto MP, Cr Coral Ross, Mayor Jim Parke, and President Ian Bentley.