This morning, Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey joined Councillors Helena Kirby and Les Rowe, Victorian State Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP, Woady Yaloak Historical Society President James Brown and members of the local community to officially re-open the Smythesdale Courthouse following conservation work.
Conservation works were completed late last year on the almost 160-year old building, which forms part of Smythesdale’s Historic Precinct.
Golden Plains Shire Council received a $90,000 Living Heritage Grant from the Victorian Government’s Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning to complete this project. The conservation works resulted in protecting the heritage value of the courthouse, and have greatly improved the visual amenity of the building and the surrounding Smythesdale Historic Precinct.
The restoration work undertaken included the replacement of fascia boards, repair to brickwork and mortar, slate roof repairs, roof flashing, gutter and downpipe repairs and replacements, external timber repairs to windows and doors, works to the interior timber floor boards in the Court Room and internal painting of the building.
The Smythesdale Courthouse is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria, and is an important community asset to the Smythesdale community.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says the grant and completed works will ensure the Courthouse remains open to the general public for future generations.
“Since 1861, this significant building has stood proudly in Smythesdale’s main street. While it no longer sees judges, lawyers and juries fill the main chamber, it has become a busy community hub for markets, and activities for community groups and the local primary school.”
“It is great to see that not only is the Smythesdale Courthouse recognised for its historical and architectural significance to Victoria, but that this recognition has been backed up by the funds from the Government to ensure this piece of our Shire’s history is maintained for generations to come.”
“On behalf of Council and the people of Smythesdale and Golden Plains Shire, we’re very grateful for the funding support from the Victorian Government, which made this conservation project possible.”