Postcode:

3400

Details:

A new Branch serving the Wimmera, including the Rural City of Horsham, West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack and Northern Grampian Shires was launched on 1 June 2011

An Executive Committee was elected, comprising of: Chair, Michael Gellert; Deputy-Chair, Leigh Hammerton, and Secretary/Treasurer Helen Curkpatrick. The Branch will:

1. advocate for heritage places under threat
2. seek to influence the local Councils to protect heritage places in their planning scheme
3. participate and assist coordination of events for National Trust annual heritage festival
4. coordinate activities with a broad and diverse range of partners, including local historical groups, local government, and other not-for-profit groups
5. participate with local government in heritage award schemes
6. assist in maintaining the National Trust heritage places database by updating information and supplying recent photographs about local places
7. prepare publications in a variety of media including electronic
8. “adopt” a particular heritage place and raise funds for restoration work
9. assist, where possible, with the running of a particular NTAV property
10. seek diverse funding opportunities for Branch activities

The recent decision by VCAT to refuse demolition of the Horsham Town Hall galvanized significant community reaction to the positive value of the region’s heritage. With a forthcoming heritage study for the Rural City of Horsham, funded by Heritage Victoria, and future studies possible for previously unexamined Shires of West Wimmera and Hindmarsh, there will be further unprecedented attention focused on heritage in this region.

The May 2011 open day at the Murtoa “Stick Shed conducted by Heritage Victoria as part of the Trust’s Heritage Festival attracted 470 visitors. The Stick Shed was included on the Trust’s Heritage at Risk list in 2010 and has been nominated to the National Heritage List.