Series 02: Alan Gibson Stewart papers, 1987-1989 - Page 741
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The Quarantine Station handover was on Friday 16 March -- 8 days before the election. We had chosen the most prominent group of buildings, high on the hill overlooking the harbour, for the first restoration project. The work team had finished repairing and painting one of the Second Class Accommodation buildings, and was progressing well with another. A dais had been set up outside, so that guests would get a good view of the restoration. In another building, we showed them an audio-visual presntation of the future options for the Quarantine Station. it had been prepared by Bob Blackmore and had a commentary by James Dibble, the recently retired newsreader from the ABC.
A large crowd gathered at the top end of the station, waiting for the arrival of the Prime Minister and the Premier. Despite my meddling in the negotiations between the State and Federal departments, the National Parks and Wildlife Service had been happy to co-operate in the arrangements for the function. There was no problem with the guest list. A professional caterer had been engaged to serve a full range of drinks and delicacies in a large marquee; and the rows of chairs which had been laid out on the lawn were rapidly filling with a good mixture of people. Out apprentices, dressed in clean overalls, stood proudly beside their handywork.