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GEMBROOK PARK, PART FORMER ZOOLOGICAL
off Gembrook Road GEMBROOK, Cardinia Shire

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Cardinia Shire
Gembrook Park Part Former Zoological Reserve
Gembrook Park Part Former Zoological Reserve
Gembrook Park Part Former Zoological Reserve
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Statement of Significance

Gembrook Park (former Zoological & Acclimatisation Society land) is of significance to the Cardinia Shire because it provides some indication of the extent of the 1873 reserve founded to introduce a range of exotic birds and animals to the Victorian bush. There was a number of similar schemes in Victoria at the time but the reserve remains unusual within the region.

Some of the exotic mature trees (redwoods) allude to the park's earliest years.

Although conflicting with some of the original aims surrounding the reserve's creation, the present native bushland within the park is important as indicative of the forest before disturbance through occupation as well as the local will to keep the park in this form over the long period it has been under public management. The mountain ash forest within the park contrasts with the adjoining forest areas, most of which have been logged.

The Gembrook Park is a local landmark and has some historical significance for its distant associations with Le Souef, a prominent member of the Acclimatisation Society, and more tangible links with prominent local resident Harry Knight

Regional Significance

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    • Physical Description 1

      GEMBROOK PARK, PART FORMER ZOOLOGICAL - Physical Description 1

      Generally mountain ash or wet sclerophyll forest, with some very mature and notable specimens, but the park also has mature exotic trees (redwoods) central to the reserve, seemingly as an indication of its 19th century acclimatisation society history but in fact planted at a much later date. Generally mountain ash or wet sclerophyll forest, with some very mature and notable specimens, but the park also has mature exotic trees (redwoods) central to the reserve, seemingly as an indication of its 19th century acclimatisation society history but in fact planted at a much later date.

      Physical Conditions

      GEMBROOK PARK, PART FORMER ZOOLOGICAL - Physical Conditions

      A number of recreation facilities have been added to the park at various times which are visually unrelated to each other and to the reserve's original 1873 purpose.

      Historical Australian Themes

      GEMBROOK PARK, PART FORMER ZOOLOGICAL - Historical Australian Themes

      Themes

      7.4 Nurseries/Acclimatisation Society areas/park reserves

      9.12 Parks and gardens, sporting grounds, street plantings

      Physical Description 2

      GEMBROOK PARK, PART FORMER ZOOLOGICAL - Physical Description 2

      Associations - Zoological & Acclimatisation Society; Gembrook Park Management Committee; Knight, Henry

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Cardinia - Cardinia Shire Heritage Study 1996

      Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
      Year: 1996
      Grading: Local

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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