07 Sep 2016 Seymour Telegraph, Seymour VIC (General News) by Alison OConnor Avenel to benefit from $400 000 funding Five decades after it last received some TLC, one of Avenels most treasured community hubs is set for a major facelift. Its not every day that a 100-year-old building gets a well-deserved makeover, but with a $400 000 injection of funds, thats exactly what will be happening to Avenel Memorial Hall. The hall is used every week of the year by a wide range of community groups, who were all active in campaigning for the upgrade funding. The Victorian Government ($300 000) and the Strathbogie Shire ($100 000) have combined to ensure the historic building will get a new lease on life and continue to be a valuable community asset for Avenel. The refurbished and modernised hall will have improved spaces for community meetings and events, as well as a creative space for dance and arts and crafts activities. The upgrade will include an extension to the rear of the hall for a new kitchen, a rehearsal and craft room, two meeting rooms, accessible toilet facilities and secure storage areas, while there will also be a number of structural improvements made to parts of the existing building. Work is expected to be completed by June next year. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes was on hand to make the announcement on Friday. The hall has been an important community hub for the residents of Avenel since 1907 when it was first constructed, however, ageing infrastructure and a growing population has put pressure on the existing facility, she said. The Avenel Hall upgrade will result in a community facility that meets the current and future needs of Avenel, a small but steadily growing town, and the surrounding districts which it services. The $300 000 grant came from the Governments Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which supports initiatives that create jobs, drive economic growth and strengthen regional communities. Councils $100 000 injection of funds will cover the balance of construction and fit-out of the extension, while it will contribute a further $36 000 to fund footpath and carpark works in front of the hall. Ward Councillor Malcolm Little said Avenel had always been a quiet achiever when it came to development. Tree changers, young families and people moving off the farm are now proud to call Avenel their base and it is important to remember the role the town plays in servicing other rural areas like Locksley, Tabilk, Tarcombe and Upton Hill, he said. 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. I congratulate this Shire for the hard work undertaken in getting this project off the ground and look forward to seeing the benefits it will deliver to the community. Caption Text: Revamp: The proposed floor plan for Avenel Hall. Welcome news: Avenel Memorial Hall is set for a significant upgrade, and Strathbogie Shire councillors and staff, Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, and a number of Avenels community groups were all on hand for the announcement on Friday. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence