Indigo Shire Council has welcomed a $227,500 contribution from the Victorian Government towards the refurbishment of the Rutherglen Soldiers Memorial Hall.

The State Government’s contribution was announced today at a morning tea in Rutherglen by Ms Kaye Darveniza, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

Indigo Shire Council Mayor Cr Peter Graham OAM welcomed today’s funding announcement and said that works could now proceed on the Hall’s upgrade. 

Cr Graham said the Victorian Government’s contribution was the final piece of the puzzle. 

“The Rutherglen Soldiers Memorial Hall upgrade is a three-way venture in that the State and the Federal government are matching Council’s own contribution towards this project,” he said.

“Late last year Council approached both the State and Federal governments seeking their support to be equal partners with Council in the facility’s upgrade.

“Council is certainly thankful that both the State and Federal Government’s have provided funding for this project.

“This is a $750,000 project, however we estimate that it would cost Council and the community more than three times that amount if we were to build it from scratch.”

Indigo Shire will contribute $238,600 towards the project, adding to the Australian Government’s $250,250 announced by Federal MP Sophie Panopoulos earlier this month.

After the morning tea Cr Graham provided Ms Darveniza with a tour of the historic Hall and outlined Council’s plans to modernise the building developing it into a multi-purpose facility that will provide community, professional and industry groups with a comfortable and dedicated meeting and functions area. 

Cr Graham said Council worked closely with local MP’s Ken Jasper and Sophie Panopoulos on this project as well as the Albury-Wodonga Area Consultative Committee and the North East Victorian Area Consultative Committee.

He thanked the Rutherglen RSL for their contribution towards the project.

“Rutherglen RSL has been involved in the planning and community consultative processes behind the proposed design of the upgraded Hall and are contributing $4,000 towards the project,” he said.

“Rutherglen community’s support for the Hall’s upgrade has been overwhelming and Council has taken the public’s comments and suggestions on board in terms of the hall’s future design.

A public meeting will be held late next month to finalise the plans and construction is likely to proceed later this year.”

For more information, please contact Indigo Shire Council Mayor, Peter Graham on 0428 381 930.