Mountain Districts Time Capsule Launch Somersby School of Arts 30th May 2017
Our capsule is on its way to the future, containing predictions and visions of what the Mountain Districts will be like in 2047. It is to be opened in April 2014 at the Somersby School of Arts Hall, where the School of Arts (est. 1894) will have been in its current location for 100 years. If you want to find out what our local residents thought it would be like, or what they hoped for in the future, you will have to wait. Our lips are sealed, as the capsule will be. There was an unexpected diversity of ideas elicited in this project, but we were able to accommodate all contributions, including a letter to the future from Central Coast Administrator Ian Reynolds, who officially launched the Capsule on Tuesday 30 May 2017. Contributions took the form of drawings, fictional stories and written descriptions. As the capsule will be buried at the Mountain Districts Culture and Heritage Centre a.k.a. Somersby Hall, some rare images from 1947 will also be included. These predictions tell us a great deal about the present; what we hope for, what we fear, see as opportunities or dangers, current social and political problems, as well as our aspirations and dreams; dreams that will be manifested on the foundations laid down in the present. So – What will we be farming, wearing, driving; what will have happened with climate change and renewable energy development; how will we be governed (will The Mountain become an independent republic); will Wisemans Ferry Road be upgraded and will the “Cross Roads” intersection be finished? Do we foresee Utopia, Dystopia or both (more of the same)? The project was conducted by LocoLocus, supported by a Cultural Development Grant from Central Coast Council, and made possible through generous community assistance with materials and labour.
Que Sera Sera Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours to see Que sera, sera. What will be, will be. (Doris day)
However, to quote Louis Pasteur, “Fortune favours the prepared mind”.
We wish to thank Ian Reynolds for launching the capsule, and for his beautifully prepared contribution. In his address he acknowledged the importance of the Mountain Districts to the future of the region, and of the critical role knowledge of heritage and history plays in building social cohesion and providing a guide for the future.
Pictured at the launch are Colleen Ellis, Shauna Maloney, Jim Smith, John O’Toole, Ian Reynolds (Administrator, Central Coast Council), Neil Berecry-Brown, Paul Pearce, Sue Ward and Jieon Berecry-Brown.