HISTORIC AVENEL FACILITY TO GET FRESH LOOK WITH $400,000 COMMITMENT An important building for the Avenel community its historic hall is sure to stand for another 100 years after it received $400 000 of Victorian Government and Strathbogie Shire funding last week for a major refurbishment. The hall, built in 1907, is one of Avenels most treasured community hubs and was recently attended by State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, who announced the Victorian Governments $300 000 investment. This was coupled with a Strathbogie Shire Council contribution of $100 000, which will be spent on modernising the hall to benefit residents who will use the facility for community meetings and events, as well as a creative space for dance and arts and crafts activities. A shire spokesperson said the facility, which community groups used weekly, would have major works including an extension, construction of two new meeting rooms, a new kitchen and an accessible toilet. These rooms will incorporate space to provide each user group a dedicated area for equipment and resources, they said. The extension will also include a rehearsal room, which could be used for education/ seminar purposes. Strathbogie councillor Malcolm Little said many tree changers, young families and people moving in off the farm comprised Avenels population and it was also an important service area for outlining towns, such as Locksley, Upton Hill, Tabilk and Tarcombe. The Avenel Hall Committee has prioritised this project and has carefully designed the plans of the extension, which has been strongly endorsed by the community, he said. Caption Text: Big boost: Strathbogie Shire councillors Mick Williams and Malcolm Little, chief executive Steve Crawcour, Mayor Colleen Furlanetto, State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes and Avenel Hall Committee member Frank Dawson met for the announcement of $400 000 for a major refurbishment. Picture: Tara Whitsed Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.