Sandra Madeley, FCNSW; Kathy Lyons, FCNSW; Margret Meagher, Hello Koalas; Leslie Williams, MP, Member for Port Macquarie; Pauline Roods, Artist; and Debbie Sommers (PMM)
A new outdoor exhibit The Forest Courtyard was opened at the Port Macquarie Museum on Monday 7 November.
The Forest Courtyard is an initiative of Forestry Corporation of NSW involving a unique partnership between Forestry Corporation and the Port Macquarie Museum to showcase North Coast forest hardwoods, provide visitor information about the region’s forests and to highlight the region’s rich timber history. The Courtyard is also home to Forest the Koala, created by local artist Pauline Roods, and part of the award-winning Hello Koala Sculpture Trail by Arts and Health Australia.
“The Forest Courtyard is a gift to the local community to celebrate Forestry Corporation’s centenary”, says Kathy Lyons, Senior Manager Forest Stewardship. “We are excited to celebrate our centenary by bringing the renewable forestry story to the heart of Port Macquarie”.
Kathy Lyons, Senior Manager Forest Stewardship, Forestry Corporation of NSW and Leslie Williams, MP, Member for Port Macquarie, with Forest the Koala AND The Forest Courtyard at the Port Macquarie Museum.
The Forest Courtyard is an architect designed outdoor space for all visitors to enjoy. It features a forest canopy in the form of a Tallowwood pergola and water inspired wave seating carved from Blackbutt. The timber for the project has been sourced from the forests surrounding Port Macquarie.
“We are delighted with the results of this exciting and innovative partnership with Forestry Corporation and honoured to be the custodian of this gift to our local community” says Clive Smith, Port Macquarie Historical Society President. “The Forest Courtyard has been designed to complement our historic building which also provides a perfect backdrop for Forest the Koala”. The Forest Courtyard will facilitate a new museum entry in the future.
The Forest Courtyard has also inspired a new exhibition at the Museum, Timber! The exhibition tells the story of timber-getting, milling and the everyday lives of timber workers in the Hastings. The timber trade was once the area’s main source of employment and wealth with numerous mills dotted across the landscape. The exhibition includes items on loan from Forestry Corporation’s Henry Kendall fine wood arts and crafts collection.
The new Timber! exhibition at Port Macquarie Museum
