After 15 years of hard work by volunteers, the community-owned Boisdale Stables will be officially opened today (October 13), with an event-filled open weekend to follow.
The celebration includes the completion of a Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) Project to construct an amenities block, storage, and display shed, with LVA representatives set to attend to acknowledge the achievement of this $210,000 project.
The historic township of Boisdale was built by the Foster family at the turn of the century and focussed on the Cheese and Butter Factory, which was situated opposite the Stables building.
Brick cottages were constructed for the factory workers, a Mechanics Institute, now the Boisdale Public Hall and three large industrial sheds were also built in the town. One of these was the Stables building used to house the horses for the factory.
In 2005, the final properties owned by the Foster Estate were to be sold, and the local community were keen to purchase the Stables building to prevent it from being demolished.
A title dispute delayed the sale of the building, and the community continued to consult with the Foster family and was delighted in 2007 when the family donated the building and its contents to the Boisdale community, with the building to be held in trust by the Boisdale & District Progress Association Inc. Thus began a huge project to renovate a century-old building that had been used for storage for the last 50-plus years.
Wellington Shire Council (WSC) supported the project with funding, enabling the power and water to be restored, while a Putting Locals First Grant through Regional Development Victoria in 2014 enabled the committee to engage Peter Brown, a local builder, as project manager of the restoration.
Many of the improvements have included recycled and repurposed materials from the building.
Grants from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal and WSC have enabled the purchase of equipment, and the LVA Grant finalised the project and allowed the classification of the building to be altered for multipurpose usage.
The LVA project alone includes 5500 hours of volunteer work, which equates to $110,000.
The building has been restored to maintain the original features and includes solid redgum timbers, several intact horse stalls with feeding boxes, the original brick flooring made from the Boisdale brick kiln and a treasury of early horse-drawn and agricultural equipment, photographs and memorabilia.
While the building has retained its original aura, it also provides modern facilities with a well-equipped kitchenette, a modern amenities block and IT equipment. It is access-friendly and available for hire for a wide range of community activities, weddings, markets, workshops and events.
The opening celebrations assisted through funding from a WSC Quick Response grant and a Community Bank, Maffra & District grant, will recognise and acknowledge the work of the amazing volunteers who have contributed so much to this community project.
The community are invited to attend the weekend celebrations with a barbecue tomorrow (voting at the Boisdale Hall opposite), Devonshire teas, raffle with great local prizes, plant sales, wine tasting and other activities.
The Boisdale Stables Facebook site has the latest information; otherwise call or text Helen on 0448 349 420 for general enquiries.
