The Glenelg Shire Council has received two heritage grants worth $110,000, sharing in more than $1 million worth of new grants to protect and conserve heritage across Victoria, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced today.
A conservation management plan has been completed on Portland’s Former Drill Hall and identified a number of works.
The State Government will contribute $100,000 for the restumping and reflooring of the Former Drill Hall Ms Tierney said.
“The former Drill Hall has a good community use and this will be extended as the building is restored.
The Glenelg Shire Council has also received a grant of $10,000 for interpretive displays at the 1886 Rocket Shed Ms Tierney said.
“The Portland rocket shed was built in 1886 and is a rare survivor in the state.
“It reflects the advances in sea rescue techniques in the late nineteenth century, particularly in the method of passing a line to ships in distress by rocket,” Ms Tierney said.
The Maritime Heritage Advisory Committee, appointed by Glenelg Council, have endorsed a project to install a display of rocket equipment and interpretation panels in the Rocket shed.
The interpretation project is planned for the 150th anniversary of the wrecking of the Admella in August 2009.
Rockets used in the rescue attempts for the Admella were fired from the Portland rocket shed.
The grant is part of the Brumby Government’s 2008-09 heritage grants program, under its four-year, $20 million strategy, Victoria’s Heritage: Strengthening our communities.
Planning Minister Justin Madden said the latest round of grants included funding for 77 community projects to conserve, manage and interpret significant heritage places, objects and collections.
“The Brumby Government’s is taking action to support the local custodians who care for Victoria’s heritage, and work very hard to share it with the wider community,’’ Mr Madden said.
“Without the dedication of these passionate people, Victoria’s heritage would be worse off, so it’s important they receive support and recognition,” he added.
Other heritage grants announced include:
• Camperdown: $18,000 for structural repairs to the State heritage-listed Clock Tower; and $5,000 for a significance assessment of the Camperdown Museum collection.
• Casterton: $21,000 for a new roof for the Former Court House, now a regional community centre; and $5,000 for a significance assessment of the Casterton Historical Society collection.
• Warrnambool: $13,600 to conserve the 19th-century cannon at the Botanic Gardens; $5,500 for a significance assessment of the Mechanics Institute collection at Flagstaff Hill; and $4,000 for a significance assessment of the Uebergang Family Collection at Allansford Cheese World Museum.