| A Multicultural Landscape: National Parks and the Macedonian Experience |
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The connection between people and their environment is emotive. This research is based on the experiences and understandings of many informants who gave generous testimony in oral history interviews and focus group discussions. They shared not only their time and memories but lent many of the photographs that illustrate this report. I am deeply indebted to Gorjana Milosevski who, in her position as community worker with the Macedonian Australian Welfare Association, facilitated meetings with members of Sydney’s Macedonian community, who shared her understandings of Macedonian landscape, and lent me literature that greatly enhanced my understandings.
My thanks to Luba Kotevska, Vera Pilovski, Donka Talevska, Zora Kotevska, Kalina Ivanoska, Cveta Grbevska, Dragan Grbevski, Vladimir Ivanovski, Krste Talevski, and Todor Kotevski for participating in the first Macedonian focus group. Thanks to Toni Najdov for translating and for introducing me to Violeta Brdaroska, Elvis Joncevski, Bilyana Brdaroska, Suzi Bodganovski and Novica Angelovski who joined Toni as participants in the second Macedonian focus group. I’m especially indebted to Toni Najdov for his patience in answering my many inquiries and checking the spelling of Macedonian words. I am also indebted to Paul Stephen who met me at short notice, invited me to his farm near Picton, and provided invaluable oral history on Macedonian use of parkland since World War II.
I am grateful to Chimin Chan for giving me insights on Chinese perceptions of landscape and introducing me Rod Haslam, Tania Kwong and Chi Young Kwong who all shared their experiences. Thanks for your time and candour.
Rosa Droescher, Senior Project Officer at the Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW, helped steer my course at the very beginning. Hai Chung at NSW Fisheries met with me and described his work with Vietnamese communities. Consulting historian, Kate Rea, generously described her experience of working on the Ethnic Communities Consultation in Rural and Regional Centres Pilot Program for the NSW Migration Heritage Centre (contracted to the NSW Heritage Office). John Streckfuss, Senior Lecturer in the Tourism Group, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture at University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury generously shared readings and insights on ethnicity and park use, opening a path for possible future collaboration.
Special thanks to my colleagues in the NPWS Cultural Heritage Division for their patience and expertise. Sharon Veale conceived the project, conducted preliminary research, and collaborated with me in focus group discussion. Tony English shared insights on social impact assessment. Denis Byrne was a wonderful sounding board, critic and supporter. Thanks also to the many other NPWS staff who assisted in so many ways, especially Jennifer Bolwell at Royal National Park and Jillian Comber at Parramatta Regional Park.
Finally, a special thank you to the NSW Migration Heritage Centre for its help. NPWS is especially grateful for both the financial support provided by the Centre and for the personal input of the Director, Bruce Robinson. His warmth, encouragement and practical assistance have been greatly valued.