Connecting Rural Communities

The driveway at Clarendon

On the 5th, 6th and 7th of November 2010, the National Trust of Tasmania is hosting one of Tasmania's most important events of the year at Clarendon.

'Connecting Rural Communities' will highlight the many issues facing rural communities in Tasmania with many topics having national relevance and significance. The event also aims at providing a platform for urban communities to gain an understanding of these issues.

There is no cost to attend information sessions in the jammed packed program organised by the National Trust in partnership with the Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association and the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE)

The program includes professional presentations, a panel discussion, educational programs, information sessions, the announcment of the TQA award and demonstrations as well as a range of entertainment activities all set against the powerful backdrop of 'Clarendon' a unique and treasured Tasmanian agricultural icon.

Topics covered will include such things as the processes involved in food production, emerging boutique markets, organic farming, viticulture, farm management deposits, the Tasmanian wool and dairy industries, legislation / restrictions and regulations, retailing, farm gate initiatives and a wide range of health related issues ranging from depression to the availability of GP's.

The commitment of participating organizations and expert professionals involved highlights the significance of the event and clearly demonstrates that 'Clarendon' is very much a living , breathing place that belongs as much in the present as in the past.

Note
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Participants include:

(Click on a link above to visit an organization's home page)

It is planned that 'Clarendon – Connecting Rural Communities' will be an annual event providing the opportunity for contemporary issues to be freely discussed in a constructive, meaningful, relevant and some times provocative and challenging way.

Clarendon

Built in 1838 by James Cox, 'Clarendon' is today regarded as one of Australia's greatest early colonial houses. Cox established an extraordinary agricultural enterprise that extended over 18,000 acres at a time when northern Tasmania was the food bowl for Australia exporting large quantities of grain not only to New South Wales but also India, Mauritius and the Cape Colony.

As well as growing grain Cox was involved in the development of the fine wool industry in Tasmania importing merino rams from the Macarthur stud in New South Wales as well as from Europe.

Initially using convicts as servants and farm workers, by the 1830's he was actively seeking free employees and by the 1840's Cox played a very public role in the anti-transportation movement chairing critical public meetings that sought the cessation of transportation to Tasmania.

Clarendon – Connecting Rural Communities is an initiative of the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) Community Heritage program designed to reflect on the important legacy of James Cox through an engaging, contemporary and relevant event.

This initiative has taken into careful consideration the human qualities of James Cox who was an entrepreneur, a risk taker, a visionary and an ambitious man with strong ethical and moral convictions.

Above all, we can safely say that James Cox had a great belief in the future of Tasmania.

Would James Cox approve – we definitely think so!

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