Portland Town Hall is among the recipients of more than $1 million worth of new grants to preserve and protect Victoria’s heritage, the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced today.
The old Town Hall, constructed in 1864, is one of a distinguished group of public buildings in Portland and an interesting example of conservative classical architecture of the first years of settlement in western Victoria.
The basalt structure was partially erected of stone from the Portland stockade and has significant historical associations with local Government administration in the district.
“The grant will contribute to some interior repainting and plaster repairs, and some repairing and repainting of exterior timberwork,” Ms Tierney said.
The building is used as a local museum (temporarily vacated for the structural works) and has recently been underpinned following a structural investigation funded by an earlier heritage grant.
“This project is supported because it will result in the building being able to be occupied again.
“It will also support the council (contributing $20,000) in looking after their heritage places,” Ms Tierney said.
The grant is part of the Brumby Government’s $2 million heritage grants program in 2007-08, under its four-year, $20.5 million strategy, Victoria’s Heritage: Strengthening our communities.
Ms Tierney said the latest round of grants included funding for 57 local communities around Victoria to preserve, manage and interpret significant heritage places, objects and collections.
”The Brumby Government’s heritage grants empower local heritage custodians to care for, manage and interpret Victoria’s diverse heritage – and this grant is a wonderful example of the grants in action,’’ Ms Tierney said.
“An appreciation of our past is a key part of planning for the future and this grant will help enrich the local community’s understanding of its heritage.
“I congratulate the Glenelg Shire Council on its initiative to undertake this important project and I am sure it will achieve wonderful results for our local heritage.”
Other heritage grants announced include:
– $20 000 to the Warrnambool Band Hall
– $10 000 to the Camperdown, Albert Cresent & Victoria Park Reconciliation Project
– $4 000 to the Koroit & District Historical Sociaty Collection