Published on Wednesday, 23 April 2025 at 9:40:44 AM
The Popanyinning Community Hub idea came 3 years ago, we saw a need for a community-based venue in Popanyinning and as the school was not being used this proved to be the best home. It has not been easy though.
As most would know the Popanyinning School opened on June 1st, 1905 and was a functioning school until the end of 1973 since then the school has sat there, some community groups have used the space over the years but nothing really took or people moved on.
In 2010 a community meeting was held, majority voted to “fix her up” while others wanted to move the school to another location but moving the school would have been a mammoth costly job, so the Shire employed a local contractor to spruce her up again and a reunion/opening was held in late 2012.
Since then, the school has sat idle until 2023 when the community hub idea was formed. Initially we were just going to replace the kitchen and have a Shire Staff member work out of the school 1 day a week. Great, let’s give it 6-month timeframe then open up to the public, well, I think within the first week we realised that was very, very optimistic. The old girl had some curve balls left to throw at us and that was the very start of a long 3-year renovation. Since then, the school has undergone a full revamp, asbestos removal throughout, new kitchen, new plaster and ceilings, hot water system, full power upgrade, been restumped in areas, air cooling/heating installation and the toilets made usable again.
While not everything was completed due to money restraints but what has been done brings the school up to current standards while keeping her yesteryear charm.
The Popanyinning Community Hub will be open for business or for people to drop in have a coffee, read a book, visit our library, book exchange, use the computer, do some printing or photocopying from May 6th at 9am.
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