Located in Rosny Park at the heart of Clarence City Council in Tasmania, the Rosny Farm cottage and barn are historically significant. The structures are part of the early settlement of the Hobart area, dating possibly from as early as 1807.
The farm site is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage register and is particularly noted for its fine example of what is possibly the oldest remaining stone barn in Australia, and the only one in Tasmania.
Since 1988, Clarence City Council has managed the site, and in 2006 Council set out to redevelop the barn into a high quality, small to medium scale venue for visual and performing arts events. Council, together with the Tasmanian Community Fund and the YMCA, provided funding.
Council’s Community Arts Officer, Tracey Cockburn, said the site is now a practical and flexible venue for a range of activities, including musical and drama works, community workshops, lectures and changing displays.
“The newly adapted venue enhances appreciation and preserves the historic integrity of the building,” she said.
As well as the barn conversion, the redevelopment project involved the construction of a small external educational archaeological work site. This comprises a digging site (archaeological boxes) with appropriate shading, and aims to increase school children’s awareness of heritage.
Tracey Cockburn said new interpretive signs and displays were installed across the entire site, providing information to assist visitors with their appreciation and understanding of the area.
“Improved site interpretation provides the community with a better understanding of its history and fosters a sense of place, pride and ownership,” she said. “Access has also been improved so that it is easier for people with mobility problems to visit the site. These improvements and subsequent increased visitor numbers will provide economic benefit to business in the area, and the upgrades allow for greater community access and social events.
“The Rosny Barn redevelopment is a brilliant example of Council and State Government working together to respond in a very practical and useful way to meet an identified community need, while being able to preserve and promote Tasmania’s unique cultural heritage.”
For further information contact Tracey Cockburn on (03) 6245 8740.
