Alison Hartman Gardens facts for kids
The Alison Hartman Garden, also known as Mokare Park, is a lovely park in Albany. It's located on York Street in the Great Southern part of Western Australia.
This park is right in the middle of Albany. It features many interesting sculptures, including a special statue of Mokare.
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Discover Alison Hartman Garden
The Alison Hartman Garden is a popular spot in Albany. It sits right next to the Albany Public Library and the Albany Town Square. You might even find local markets happening here sometimes!
A Garden with History
This area wasn't always a park. It used to be the vegetable gardens behind the old state school. That school building is now the Albany District Education Centre.
The gardens are named after a very dedicated teacher, Alison Edith Hartman (1906-1978). She taught at Albany State School for many years. Alison was the daughter of John Hartman, who built the Albany War Memorial. She was also the Principal of Albany Primary School from 1935 to 1967.
Amazing Old Trees
The gardens are home to some very old and impressive trees. Along the southern edge, you'll find two large Norfolk Island pine trees. There's also a big Quercus robur (oak) tree. These trees have been here since the 1890s! Every Christmas, the Norfolk Island pines are decorated with festive lights.
Sculptures and Stories
The Alison Hartman Garden is full of art that tells stories.
The Mokare Statue
A statue of Mokare was put up in 1977. It remembers a very important Noongar man named Mokare. He helped the early settlers and the traditional owners live together peacefully. His statue reminds us of his efforts to build understanding.
Community Art
In 1989, a series of community sculptures were added to the gardens. These artworks are placed around a granite rock outcrop. Some of these sculptures use large, century-old timbers. These timbers came from the original town jetty! They represent the jetty, ships loading cranes, and other farm machinery. This art helps us remember how important shipping and farming were when Albany was first developing.
The Peace Pole
At the back of the gardens, there is a Peace Pole. It was put there in 2011 as part of the Harmony Day celebrations. The pole has a simple but powerful message: May Peace prevail on Earth. It reminds everyone to work towards peace and understanding.
