On Sunday 16 August 2015 CFA members, Tennis Club members and the Community of Barwon Downs celebrated the official opening of their new community hub extension. Over 80 people attended the event.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney officially opened the station. Also present were CFA South West Assistant Chief Officer Bob Barry, Colac Otway Shire Mayor Frank Buchanan and Barwon Downs Captain Gavin Brien.
Barwon Downs Brigade decided that they needed more room at their station. They started going down the path of looking at an extension. As no money was available through CFA, the brigade thought they would have to go without.
After discussions with the local tennis club and community group, the brigade decided to approach the shire for a grant and use this extension as a community hub, not just a CFA structure.
After months of negotiations, plans were drawn up and the Colac Otway Shire announced that the State Government would contribute $180,000 towards the build, the Shire would put $25,000 towards it and the brigade, tennis club and community group would make up the rest ($20,000). The brigade estimates that $15,000 of in-kind labour has also gone into this project.
This extension will not only service as a room for the CFA to use (training, meetings and courses) but the local tennis club will use it on game days and the community group now have a proper meeting room that they can hold their meetings in.
The room has already been used by CFA to run numerous district courses.
Author: Annie Heritage