Happy Campers: New Penrose Park caretakers announced

The future of Penrose Park Recreation and Campground at Silverton is in great hands with the announcement of two highly qualified new caretakers to oversee the day-to-day management of the historic reserve.

Well-known locals Marie Lawson and Adam Watson will take over full-time management of the reserve for the next year after being appointed by Crown Lands. The couple has deep roots in the area and plan to use their local knowledge to make Penrose Park better than ever. 

Marie and Adam will live in the park’s caretaker’s cottage and be the point of contact for ongoing maintenance and operational functions at the park. They will ensure the Park functions smoothly during peak periods, such as when hundreds descend on the area for the annual Mundi Mundi Bash. 

The Silverton locals are also planning to hold more community events at Penrose Park, including tennis and basketball tournaments, to encourage more people to enjoy the great outdoors.  They are also planning to enhance the park’s green spaces. 

Penrose Park Recreation and Campground is an 80-hectare camping site, located on a Crown land reserve on the outskirts of Silverton and 37km north-west of Broken Hill. On average, Penrose Park hosts about 3,500 bookings a year for its powered and unpowered camp sites, bunk houses, ensuite cabins and cottages. 

Crown Lands has invested more than $2.5 million to upgrade facilities at the site, including upgrades to amenity blocks, playgrounds, signage, BBQ sites and on-site safety equipment. 

Penrose Park caretaker Marie Lawson said the park was a special outback location.

“We are so happy to be named as the new caretakers of Penrose Park and both Adam and I are looking forward to giving back to the Silverton community,” Ms Lawson said.

“The former caretaker Terina Kingi did an incredible job and we are looking to build on her great work. Penrose Park is a little oasis in the outback, and we are determined to look after this precious community resource.” 

Crown Lands Acting Director Regional Operations West Sharon Hawke said Crown land reserves cannot function without the help of dedicated members of the community, who help preserve local heritage, infrastructure, and make outdoor spaces dynamic and accessible for all.

“Penrose Park is loved by the local community and has been close to the heart of Silverton and Broken Hill for more than a century. I congratulate Marie and Adam on their appointment and I know they’ll help Penrose Park flourish,” Ms Hawke said.