On Friday 25 September, to the acclaim of the residents who crowded onto the station platform, the station building was handed over to the community in the culmination of the Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program delivered by VicTrack.
Community members and Buloke Council Mayor Cr Reid Mather, Cr Stuart McLean, Cr David Pollard Cr Ellen White and Cr Leo Tellefson, Ms Jean Parson Community Building Program Manager, Property Group and Mr Denis Cronin Project Manager VicTrack, architect Mr Fraser Brown of Quadratum and Mr Kerryn Davidson of Onleys Holdings Pty Ltd. Cr Mather spoke of the mystique of rail and the new proposals to improve rail transport in the Buloke Shire which could mean more trains on the railway line through Broadway. He commended the community for embracing such an important and iconic project for the town.
Mr Len Storey, representing Wycheproof VISION and Wycheproof Historical Society, said it was only when buildings such as this were loved that projects such as the railway station renovation could be funded and the community had certainly showed its love for the railway station. (Pictured members of the Wycheproof Historical Society with architect Fraser Brown)
Ms Parson, said the Wycheproof community had shown its passion and what the building had meant to the fabric of the town. She presented individuals with a commemorative book ‘Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Wycheproof Station 2015’. Her colleague, Jason Murray, Corporate Communications VicTrack, said the current project was completed under the Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program and included further renovation and the inclusion of a kitchen area and all abilities toilet. He noted that the station would now be a community hub, with Wycheproof VISION as the lead leaseholder organisation with Wycheproof Community Resource Centre and Wycheproof Youth Group.
Wycheproof Station dates from 1887 and the station precinct is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register as the most intact example of the modest standard timber station buildings known as the ‘Pyramid Hill style’. The next project at the precinct is the restoration of the goods shed. That project has received an injection of $150,000 for completion by VicTrack.
The Wycheproof Station buildings are now overseen by Wycheproof VISION and are available for community use and hire. For information email info@wycheproof.vic.au or phone the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre on 54937455
