[1 January 2011]
CURRENT DONATIONS: $942,314
(including pledges)Total estimated cost of project is $1,278,500 inclusive of GST.
We are still some $250,000 short of our appeal target and have been forced to use our financial reserves (the Hobbs Bequest). Please give as generously as you are able.
Work
still continues on the West wall.
PROGRESS: The work on the church is progressing well—on time
and on budget, though on the upper limit of the estimate.
REASONS FOR THE RESTORATION
In 2005 the St Mary’s Parish Council commissioned a Conservation Plan, which was prepared by Mr. Ronald Bodycoat, Architect. Funding for the Conservation Assessment was facilitated by a Western Australian Lotteries Commission Grant in the sum of $10,000. The Conservation Assessment demonstrated the heritage importance of St Mary’s, and further demonstrated the need for urgent and expert assessment and repair.
In 2007 the St Mary’s Parish
Council funded a structural engineers report from Maitland Consulting Structural
Engineering. This firm was engaged as the structural engineer for the
restoration of St George’s Cathedral in Perth. The engineer’s survey of the
church building revealed significant deterioration in the structural fabric of
the Church building – namely significant deterioration of the render and coating
finishes to the church in the form of cracking, spalling and delamination.
Additionally significant concrete delamination and cracking were evident, with
early stages of reinforcement corrosion evident (better known as ‘concrete cancer’).
It was the engineer’s opinion that without remedial work, deterioration of the render, concrete wall and portal frame structures, will continue and accelerate. The engineer’s recommendation was that if the restoration work is not undertaken, it would be likely that St Mary’s would become unsafe, and require demolition or physical stabilization within twenty five years. Physical stabilisation would involve intrusive structural elements such as steel struts.
FINANCIAL DONATIONS
In
2008, St Mary’s received a Federal Government grant in the sum of
$250,000 (plus GST) towards the cost of the restoration and
conservation of the church building.
In 2010 we also received a grant of $250,000 from the State Government (through Heritage Council). And we are currently progressing an application for further (federal) government support for the funding-shortfall.
St Mary’s Parish also made a successful submission for a Heritage Grant under the State Lotteries Commission Heritage Grant Scheme for $185,000 to cover the cost of the removal of the roof of the church, which is a necessary part of the overall restoration programme, including the bracing and repair of the church walls.
The
Parish has embarked upon a number of initiatives to help fund the restoration
project. The Appeal has raised in excess of $225,000 in
donations and pledges
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A fundraising information folder and DVD have been produced (with all costs and time donated) to inform parishioners and potential donors of the nature and scope of the project. A copy of this folder is enclosed.
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Tax-deductible status has been granted for donations through the offices of the National Trust of Australia, (WA).
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A number of fundraising activities have been held and are planned by individuals and groups within the parish.
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Savcor-Finn, the specialist contractor, has undertaken to approach their suppliers for the project, and to seek “preferred customer status” with respect to in-kind support for the project.
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In-Kind sponsorship to assist with the appeal has also been forthcoming from Mills Wilson Communications Consultants for all communication and marketing requirements and from Savcor-Finn for the design and erection of a sign publicizing the appeal.
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A presentation was made to the Council of the City of South Perth, which resulted in two donations each of $5,000.00 from a ward in the City and a commitment from the councillors to support the appeal in any way that they can.
If you can and want to contribute, please contact our treasurer.