Friends of Hampden Bridge
1 May 11
If you live in Kangaroo Valley, you must use the bridge daily, but how often do you really look at this structure and appreciate it for the amazing engineering work that has made it stand for over 100 years with little upkeep, and given our village such a magnificent status symbol?
Hampden Bridge is an icon. Not just for our valley, but for all of Australia.
We have a beautiful 100 year old bridge, which, with the new restoration work due to commence in May 2011, will be placed on the State Heritage register, once work is completed, by the RTA , and that next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge is perhaps the most important bridge in this country.
We are all aware of the bridge works planned, and how this will affect most of the Valley residents whilst it is being restored. The RTA has been empathetic to residents needs and has tried to minimise the effect on Valley residents as much as possible, and has enabled tourism to continue at weekends for retailers and accommodation providers.
We, as a village, need to show our potential visitors during the months from May to September, that the bridge restoration is something to come and see, take photos of and to be a part of this historic event. A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.
To make this event a positive experience for everyone who comes to the Valley, some local businesses and local groups have created ‘Friends of Hampden Bridge’ which has created a group of people that care about the bridge by giving their endorsements to this worthy project.
The RTA has agreed to chip in with a generous budget to assist this group. This has enabled ‘Friends of Hampden Bridge’ to launch an informative display on site by the bridge, a web site www.hampdenbridgeheritage.com.au and later on, a TV documentary on this heritage bridge whilst the bridge renovations are going on.
Negotiations are in progress with WIN TV to include sections of this documentary live. The final version will be put up on the website, and also donated to the Pioneer Museum Park, to go with a display of artefacts from the restoration, for future prosperity.
If you are interested, and want to help, become a member of Friends of Hampden Bridge for $50. ALL PROCEEDS will go towards the set up and maintenance of this website. www.hampdenbridgeheritage.com.au Any monies over will go towards a proposed street party to celebrate the opening of the restored bridge later in the year.
We need you to refer everyone you meet, greet and know to this web site. It gives clear and accurate information on when the bridge is open, information and updates from the RTA and others involved in this restoration, and the latest news and features ‘live’ as it happens.
You can join ‘Friends of Hampden Bridge’ as an individual, a family or a business. If you are a business, your logo can be added to the website to show you support this historic event.
So please, refer to this website. www.hampdenbridgeheritage.com.au
Tell your friends and family to use it.
Have them link it to their Facebook page.
Link it to your own websites for friends and guests to use.
We need your support.
Those already pledged are:
Pest Problems, The Valley Voice, Priors Buses, Kennedys Coaches, Shoalhaven Tourism Board, KV Woodcrafts, Pioneer Museum Park, RAG and the KV Tourist Association, RTA .
To join and support the ‘ Friends of Hampden Bridge ‘ please send a $50 cheque made payable to the Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association, P.O.Box 6812 and e mail your business logo to lynobern@bigpond.com for inclusion to the web site.
Thank you.
Chris Warren
President KVTA