Masterplan for the renewal of Tomaree Lodge

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Tomaree Headland

is a really special site

 

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for anyone who lives in or loves

Port Stephens.

 

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As promised, the New South Wales

Government is keeping

 

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Tomaree Lodge in public hands

for community use.

 

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We're working closely with

community backed by a

 

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$4.6 million investment

to improve and open up the site

 

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preserve the heritage

 

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and cultural significance

for generations to come.

 

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Long before the buildings,

the roads and the guns of war.

 

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This headland was home

to the Worimi people.

 

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Tomaree is a very significant

place to the Worimi people

 

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It can make the hairs

on the back of your neck

 

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stand on end and in

this sense, that's Tomaree.

 

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It's a women's area.

 

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It's also a men's area.

 

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So this place is

really special to us.

 

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In the 1940s.

 

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It became part of

Australia's war effort.

 

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A strategic site guarding

the entrance to Port Stephens.

 

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Tomaree Lodge is part

of a much bigger establishment.

 

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It is section of Fort Tomaree,

which was built

 

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as part of the coastal defenses.

 

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Now down where Tomaree Lodge is today.

 

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There were another 18 huts

 

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and these were to house

the infantry section

 

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and the infantry section

was responsible for close

 

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protection of the headland.

 

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After the war

 

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Tomaree Lodge became

a large residential institution.

 

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An era with a difficult

history for some.

 

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Living in institutions

is something I cannot forget.

 

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It affects me every day.

 

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We were treated differently

from everyone else.

 

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People have been

 

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traumatised here.

 

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People lost choices.

 

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Freedom.

 

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Privacy.

 

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Dignity

 

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and relationships.

 

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People with disability

now are making their own voices

 

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and having their own voices

to be heard.

 

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I believe that

that's very important for people

 

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with disability.

 

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Through every chapter

of its story.

 

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One thing has never changed.

 

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It's always been

a place of natural wonder.

 

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Well, it's a very unique place

because of the serenity

 

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and because it's

so close to the water.

 

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You can always go

for a walk out to the end

 

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and you can sometimes you

can be the only person here.

 

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Today.

 

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Tomaree Lodge stands

at a turning point.

 

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The New South Wales Department

of Communities and Justice

 

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in partnership with local stakeholders

 

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is working

to revitalise the site.

 

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Throughout the masterplan

consultation

 

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it's been really clear

that our community

 

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wants to honor the history,

safeguard the natural setting

 

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and revitalise this site

for our kids and grandkids.

 

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When I first discovered

that the lodge was going

 

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to close and be developed

into something else.

 

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It was really exciting.

 

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And I thought, we can't let

this opportunity go past us.

 

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We've got to do something

special here.

 

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We see this as a once

in a lifetime opportunity

 

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to develop something that future

generations will thank us for.

 

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So the community's

 

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now really excited that

there is a master plan in place,

 

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and that we can move forward

 

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and see the Tomaree headland

and this lodge being activated

 

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but also for it to remain

with its natural beauty.

 

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Through open consultation.

 

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We're listening

to Traditional Owners,

 

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community groups

and those with lived experiences

 

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to shape a plan

that reflects our shared vision.

 

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The Tomaree

masterplan will set the course.

 

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Transforming this treasured site

 

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into a place where history,

culture and community thrive.

 

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Side by side.

 

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We were denied

 

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some of the things that

make us who we are.

 

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And I think this place here has

the opportunity to restore them

 

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What we want to do

is make sure that everybody

 

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can see the filter of

the Worimi people.

 

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So when they look

through this place.

 

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They can maybe get

a little understanding

 

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of how we see Tomaree.

 

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This is an opportunity

 

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to showcase our culture

in this space.

 

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but it is to be shared.

 

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There is military history here.

 

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This place could tell the

truth about the past.

 

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People can come and find out the

history of the Tomaree Lodge.

 

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To hear about these things

 

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first hand from people

with disability themselves.

 

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This place could help

people understand

 

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why inclusion matters.

 

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Our stories help

 

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make sure the history of

these places is never forgotten.

 

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The stories of the place

belong to the community

 

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and builds the pride

in the community.

 

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There are many stories

that will be told

 

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that hopefully

the community will embrace.

 

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You can't get a more iconic spot

than the Tomaree headland.

 

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It means a lot to the community.

 

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and we're really excited

about the future ahead.

 

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The masterplan captures

the overwhelming

 

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feedback from the community

that less is more when it comes

 

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to enhancing and respecting

this remarkable site.

 

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Step by step,

 

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we will be unlocking the

opportunity of this iconic site

 

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to become a place

that everyone can enjoy.

 

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We'll be making sure

that this stunning setting

 

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with its remarkable history

and heritage,

 

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becomes a destination

we can all be proud of.

 

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From heritage spaces

and cultural hubs

 

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to accessible facilities

and open public areas

 

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the possibilities

for Tomaree are inspiring.