General News
10 March, 2023
Tower rises from the ashes
Submitted by John Nichols The development of Tower Park, formerly the Open Community Arts and Reflections Space, will provide the Dimboola community with a space which can be used to gather and hold outdoor arts events. The new park aims to heal the...
Submitted by John Nichols
The development of Tower Park, formerly the Open Community Arts and Reflections Space, will provide the Dimboola community with a space which can be used to gather and hold outdoor arts events.
The new park aims to heal the community loss of the Dimboola Hotel to fire in 2003.
This iconic and central building remained a demolition site for many years and was stressful to locals.
In discussions between expat Graeme Schneider and some local community members it was decided that something could be done to restore the site to a community space for all to enjoy.
Dimboola Art Inc, a committee of just 10 volunteers, was formed five years ago to plan and implement the construction of Tower Park.
The DAI aims to bring the arts and events to the community at Tower Park, complimenting the Shire’s plan to invigorate the town’s economy, social and cultural activities for the purpose of future prosperity and well-being of the residents.
The DAI proceeded through the stage-by-stage construction of this project very cautiously, as the initial Pick My Project grant of $200,000 was never going to be enough to complete the community park and arts venue.
Fundraising activities and an appeal have gone hand-in-hand with the actual construction in order to raise the extra funds necessary for the development to progress.
Community support has been amazing, in partnership with the local Bendigo Community Bank, a fundraiser was launched and nearly $60,000 was donated by local businesses and individuals.
Another fundraiser raised almost $20,000 through the sale of around 630 engraved pavers. These feature in the diagonal pathway across the block, and many people thanked the DAI for the wonderful opportunity to be part of this amazing and very popular creation of our new community Tower Park.
A significant saving of tens of thousands has been achieved through the invaluable and amazing efforts of our voluntary project manager Al Griffiths - a local civil engineer - for which we are so very grateful.
Many local trades people have also been very generous with their time and charges - saving many thousands of dollars - for which we are also extremely appreciative.
The first event in the unfinished Tower Park was held last year on Friday July 29.
Working in conjunction with the Dimboola Town Committee and local businesses, a very successful Christmas in July/Night Market event was conducted.
Since then a number of Saturday morning produce markets have been held, and the Tower Park Markets have now become a monthly event for our town.
At the end of 2022 our project was over 90 per cent completed with the centrepiece tower, three pergolas and paving, a diagonal cross-block pathway featuring Round One of the named pavers the garden beds created and planted, lawns laid, and wonderful artworks installed by various talented artists including a mosaic bath and paintings, along with other natural sculptural features and fencing.
The works by all the artists involved has been wonderful and we truly appreciate their efforts in making the park a unique and inspiring space.
With the scheduling of the official Grand Opening event on Saturday March 11, February was a very busy month for the DAI, with many more tasks to be completed including the erection of two poles with solar lights, the mural painting, installation of extra batteries inside the tower to power the pergola lighting and extra lights on the tower, the completion of five bench seats, further levelling of exposed Hotel foundations, safety fencing along Lloyd Street, perspex screens over fence holes, further drainage work to allow more planting, installation of power points, and strengthening the concrete base of the mosaic bathtub.
The Grand Opening, from 5pm, will be hosted by former publican of the Dimboola Hotel, Garry Price, and will commence with the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Uncle Ron Marks, to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and their connection to Dimboola.
Other speakers will include Tracey Rigney who produced the Dimboola Hotel documentary, Graeme Schneider who has owned the land since 2015, Stoph Pilmore one of the key locals who, with his wife Meran, were instrumental in the success of the Pick my Project funding which kicked off the process of transforming the ruins into something usable.
A representative spokesperson from DAI will also be there to introduce the Tower Park Project sub-committee members and talk about their future plans for the space.
On the night, invited guests are asked to assemble near the mosaic bathtub between 4.45pm and 5pm, where they will receive a complimentary refreshment voucher.
The Street Market will run from 4pm to 9pm along Lochiel Street, which will be closed from 2pm to 10pm.
The Dimboola Hotel documentary, produced by Tracey Rigney, and the film Dimboola, will both be screened after sunset on the big screen located between Bruce Miller Plumbing and Tower Park.
Other event features include a raffle will be conducted on the night with numerous prizes donated by the DAI Tower Park Project sub-committee and local artists.
Food will be available, including Dimboola CWA’s Devonshire Tea and the RSL barbecue at the RSL Hall, with donuts, cupcakes and Small Paul located at the market.
The DAI very much looks forward to seeing everyone at the official Grand Opening event and street party, celebrating Tower Park.