Finally on the State Heritage List

Unbelievably good news for all of us.
Our success with our State Heritage Application was finally announced Friday last week.
Big news - on  Win TV News Saturday night, on ABC Local Radio with Gaye Pattinson on Monday, on Page 3 in the Border Mail on Monday and on the Front page of our local paper, today Wednesday.
I am pictured with Sophie Arendt nee  Golonski in the door of Hut 11. This is the place where it all began.

We are still waiting for the results of the State Heritage Hearing!!!

Job Well Done!!!

Here are all the people who made a presentation for State Heritage Protection in February - except Helga Leunig who had to leave before this photo was taken: from left to right Veronica Schilling (Benalla Rural City) Wendy Mackowski, Sabine Smyth, Maria Fruhwirth, Dr Bruce Pennay, Rozalie Dean, Jim (Elmars) Klopsteins, Helen Topor, Krystyna Topor, Judith Fleming.

Don't miss the Registration Hearing

The huts above are -unfortunately- all gone. Please help us save what is left.

Day 1 - Wednesday Feb 10th at BPACC - affterwards drinks at Golf Club from 6.30pm

Day 2 - Thursday Feb 11th at BPACC - afterwards meal at Golf Club from 6.30 pm

Please visit our Facebook Page to find out the times of the hearing and the schedule of when different speakers will speak. 

This will be announced soon by the Heritage Council.

Our book will again be for sale.

The Exhibition will also be open from 1-3 pm on both days.

Help us secure State Heritage Listing for the remaining huts

I am just presuming and hoping, that you will agree with us : the huts need preserving.

There is a unique chance to take part in the hearings that will determine whether we get State Heritage Protection for the huts or not - any every person who attends the hearing as an audience member will be helpful to us.

We are lucky that the hearings will be held in Benalla, and at BPACC, on Wednesday 10th February 2016 and Thursday 11th February 2016. Although the times of the hearing have not been advised, I am sure they will go all day - i.e. 9 am - 5 pm. But check the Benalla Ensign the week before, Wednesday 3rd February. The Council column should provide you with the times.

Or come back to this blog!!!

We want State Heritage Protection because

1 - The huts are significant and we want them kept as they are and restored over time. Within them lies a sense of a past, that shaped Victoria. Tens of thousands of families have a direct connection to this site through their family's history. We are asking the State Government, through the Heritage Council to view the collection of photos, stories and items we have so far collated and to respect that this plain looking place actually holds a place in many hearts.

2 - State Heritage is the only legally binding protection there is. Once protected, the huts are safe. All other heritage listing, such as by the National Trust or by local heritage overlays can be ignored, or taken away over time. State Heritage Protection cannot.

3 - The huts are under threat. The Gliding Club of Victoria is so worried that heritage protection will inconvenience them that they have threatened in a recent letter to Heritage Victoria, to move the huts to Wangaratta. (There is currently some dispute over the ownership of the huts.)