New community park named for Gallery Walk Icon

Scenic Rim's newest park and regional gateway precinct was today dedicated to the memory of the 'founder' of Tamborine Mountain's renowned Gallery Walk arts and crafts hub.

Queensland Local Government Minister Mark Furner joined Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen to officially open Rhoda Rushbrook Park at the southern end of Gallery Walk as part of Council's Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages initiative.

Rhoda Rushbrook (1920-2015) opened the first artisan craft shop on Long Road in 1966, working with other locals to create handmade items for sale. Her shopfront was a converted chook shed known affectionately as The Bower.

"Her connection with Gallery Walk spanned more than four decades, during which time the precinct grew from that one humble shop to the thriving location we know today," Mayor Greg Christensen said.

"The naming of Rhoda Rushbrook Park, on the corner of Eagle Heights and Long roads, is a fitting recognition of the contribution made by this pioneering figure in the history of this location."

Rhoda Rushbrook Park is also the first regional gateway precinct developed by Council as part of the Scenic Rim Story Marker Project.

"This project aims to create landmark art installations in communities across the Scenic Rim to anchor what will eventually become the Scenic Rim Way, a tourist trail promoting the east-west corridor through our region," Cr Christensen said.

The artistic centrepiece of the park is The Bower a five-metre high timber representation of a bower bird's bower by Tamborine Mountain artists Richard Howie and Nicole Jeske.

Other Story Marker elements within the park include Flame Tree Seed Pods, sandstone play sculptures by artist Paul Stumkat, and interpretive poetry installations featuring the works of Judith Wright, Mabel Forrest and Raymond Curtis.

"Rhoda Rushbrook Park is yet another example of the town vibrancy projects this Council is committed to delivering for the Scenic Rim community. This venue is sure to become a landmark location for visitors and locals alike on Gallery Walk," he said.

"I also acknowledge the financial support of the Queensland and Australian governments to assist Council to deliver this much-anticipated community project."

Notes

Rhoda Rushbrook Park is a joint initiative of Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Queensland Government as part of the Gallery Walk Improvement Project - A Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages initiative - co-funded under the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.

The Scenic Rim Story Marker Project has been co-funded through the Queensland Tourism Infrastructure Fund, an initiative under the Australian Government's Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure program, administered by the Queensland Government through the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, and the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Queensland Government.