New Trail Head and New Community Partnership

It looks like we have a site for a Trail Head in Subiaco. After discussions with the City of Subiaco and St Josephs Church, site was found in the newly re-developed area at the front of the Church, that has now be re-named Piazza Salvado.

Domenic at Granite & Marble Expo in Osbourne Park, was fantastic with his help in sourcing and supplying a suitable piece of Granite and then getting it engraved. We owe him a huge vote of thanks.

The official blessing is on Sunday 8th December at the 10.00am Mass, so please come along and join the fun!

My colleague Colin Ingram and I had a very good meeting with the Head of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia where we discussed the idea of forming a Community Partnership in all things related to the Trail and the significant areas that it runs through. Fingers crossed that all goes well because that would be a huge fillip to our future growth.

We have tenders out now for an Official Web Page which we hope to post early in the new year. All ideas and suggestions will be gratefully received.

An idea is germinating that we organize a "Big Event" on the trail for 2014 - so if any sports or sponsors are reading this, we'd love to cooperate on a big event.

More soon.

The Trail Head

It's been a busy time gearing up for the two Camino Salvados from Subiaco to New Norcia and Clive, our intrepid trail marker has managed to put up some of the markers along the way. This is a bigger challenge that one would anticipate as each "territory"we move through has it's own ideas of how to to it ... and a plethora of rules to abide by too. But in the vast majority of cases everyone involved has been kind and helpful.
We also had a great meeting with the head of the newly formed Department of Parks WA - DPWA - and are hoping to develop some great initiatives with them in the future.
I also had a wonderful meeting with the organizer of the Black Swan Arts Award who suggested that next year we take a group of artists along the trail and then ask them to interpret their experience in the visual art of their choice. Then we would hold an exhibition to showcase their talents ... and the Trail of course!
Herbert Smith Freehills - the law firm - have been extraordinarily generous with their help on the legal side of things and we own them a huge vote of thanks for all their work.
Finally, we caught up with the walkers on this years walk up in the Chittering Valley and delivered some goodies to keep their energy levels up. Their spirits need no boosting: they are having a WONDERFUL experience despite the frequent deluges of rain that have failed to dampen their enthusiasm. May their happy memories last a lifetime.

A few of the "happy campers" enjoying a well deserved break.

AND FINALLY WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR TRAILHEAD

It's going to be inlaid into the forecourt at the front of St Josephs Church, Salvado Road, Subiaco - so hopefully I'll post a picture of it in my next posting.

August 2013 - Recent Board Meeting

Progress!

At our last Board Meeting it was resolved that we appoint a commercial operator to run walking groups for the PTF. The successful candidate was Inspiration Outdoors, a husband and wife team who are committed to the idea, telling it's story and protecting the environment all at the same time!
Their link appears on the right hand side.
We also asked Clive McIntyre to go ahead and order the Logo signs of the trail and mark the trail before this years first Camino Salvado which happens in a couple of weeks.



Projects for the next few months and for next year include:

Upgrading the Webpage to reflect the greater demands of more walkers.
Applying for funding to provide "cross-over" stiles in fence lines where appropriate.
Develop plans for celebrating the Bicentenary of Bishop Rosenda Slavado which occur in 2014.

We have also decided to support the development of the "Piazza Salvado" at the front of St Josephs Church in Subiaco where we will erect a suitable, temporary symbol of the trail head for the Pilgrim Trail. Our expectations are that in the next 5 to 10 years we may need to find a more suitable site nearby that will be able to accommodate the increasing numbers, and not clash with the activities of an already very busy Parish. The City of Subiaco have been excellent partners in our development and we look forward to building on that relationship as the local Councils merge in the next 12 months.

Cultural and Heritage Magic

Yesterday I gave a presentation to the Metro Trails Forum here in Perth and highlighted the history and current development of the Trail:

This is the year that the Trail will be marked and our Board Member Clive McIntyre is progressing this for the group.

Next year is the Bicentenary of Dom Rosendo Salvado the founder of New Norcia and our inspiration for starting the Trail in the first place. We are working with New Norcia, the Cities of Subiaco and Perth, the Whadjuk peoples and local Theatre and music groups to make sure that it is a very special occasion and the start of a deepening our understanding of our rich cultural heritage.

We are also hoping to create a series of Podcasts that will reflect each day of the journey: and this is being done with the help of Richard Offen of Heritage Perth.

Finally, we are looking for a Sponsor(s) so that we can offer a prize for a piece of Visual Arts to represent the ethos of the trail, so please check your bank balances and see if you've got any spare cash you can contribute ;)

I look forward to sharing some of the concrete reality that this coming year promises.

Cultural explosion

Over the past few months quiet work has gone on with discussions to mark the trail in readiness for this year 5th anniversary of the Camino Salvado. But next year should be even bigger with the Bi-Centenary of Bishop Rosendo Salvado.

During this time we've been talking about creating cultural components to complement the Trail so that those who may never be able to experience it can get some of the spiritual elements from music and theatre- and this has been met with unbridled enthusiasm led by the team at the City of Subiaco, and we thank them tremendously for their facilitating meetings and introductions.

We are also planing minor alterations to the trail so that the Great Northern highway is totally avoided. This will add some extra kilometers, but by then the legs will be strong and the Spirit burnished bright!

There's still hours more talking to do and application forms to fill our so any offers of help would be gratefully received.

Looking forward to passing on more good news as it happens!