Hidden treasure

I WRITE to record my extreme concern and disappointment at the limited access to the Cardinia Cultural Centre available to ratepayers, and, with respect to the Cardinia Tapestry, worry about the care and maintenance of this wonderful creation as well as the limited ability of people to view it.
In my experience, the centre seems to be so rarely open. I am a great admirer of the Cardinia Tapestry, which I renew my acquaintance with from time to time.
But, on occasions when I have proudly wanted to show it to visitors there has been no access. Nor when the door is open, there is often nobody attending the desk, so people are unable to buy the cards or the embroidery book, which is a piece of art as well as a heritage record.
Apart form losing the chance of extolling the artistic virtues of local people, the shire is letting down the 218 women (and one man) who volunteered during more than two years to create this masterpiece.
I have been given copies of the Cardinia Arts and Culture Policies, which are worthy documents. However, some of the aims are not being realised, notably “increased opportunities for access”, “to preserve” the current art collection, and “eliven public places… by creating opportunities… to engage with art”.
Regarding the embroidery, the “preserve” seems to be given only lip service. It is only incompletely covered by the glass case, and so is vunerable to moth and other attack. If this unique work is to be with us for posterity, this glaring omission must be redressed.
The workshop area for artists does not seem to be freely available or utilised. In recent times it appears to be a storage space.
Lola Wigney,
Pakenham Upper.