General News
16 April, 2019
Heritage to be preserved at Cobden
NEW display sheds will soon be on the way at the South Western District Restoration Group Rally Park.
NEW display sheds will soon be on the way at the South Western District Restoration Group Rally Park.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan travelled to the Grayland Street, Cobden site last week to announce $20,000 in funding from the Building Better Regions Fund.
Group acting vice president Brian O’Shannessy said members were pleased to receive the funding.
“It’s great to see the Building Better Regions Fund supporting community groups like us,” he said.
“We’re proud to be able to continue to progress the park.
“Thank you to Dan Tehan for his support.”
Mr O’Shannessy said members hoped to start building the sheds shortly and were not awaiting approval from Corangamite Shire Council.
“Club members and local businesses will be involved in the construction of the sheds,” he said.
“Donated historical district agricultural items will be housed in the sheds.”
Mr Tehan said he was excited to see the funds, which the group matched dollar-for-dollar, being used to help build two new sheds for expanded exhibition and storage facilities.
“The South Western District Restoration Group does wonderful work bringing heritage farm machinery and equipment back to their former glory,” he said.
“It’s a pleasure for the Coalition Government to provide this grant so they can continue to do this work.
“These magnificent restored machines take pride of place in the group’s annual event in March, which attracts up to 2000 visitors to the region, pumping vital tourism dollars into the region.”
Shire mayor Neil Trotter attended the official announcement and congratulated the group.
“It’s good for the group that there’s funding coming,” he said.
“It’s a great facility, it’s great for the whole area.”
Cr Trotter was pleased to see the local agricultural and mechanical history was being “appreciated and protected”.
“It’s an interest for people,” he said.
The Cobden project was one of 333 new infrastructure projects and community initiatives under Round 3 of the Building Better Regions Fund.