WALTZING IN WINTON
WINTON’S new Waltzing Matilda Centre is taking shape and is expected to be completed early next year.
Townsville construction industry identity Adrian Gabrielli of A. Gabrielli Constructions Pty Ltd is building the $ 22 million architect- designed structure that will showcase exhibits and displays immortalising the song penned by Banjo Paterson at Winton’s Dagworth Station in 1895.
The new building replaces the old cement block structure that burned to the ground in an early morning fire on June 18, 2015. Winton Mayor Butch Lenton said he was hoping to see the new centre ready for its official opening by the end of April next year.
Towering above Winton’s CBD skyline in Elderslie St is the 25m selferecting tower crane that hovers over the job site like a giant bird of prey. At the moment it is the crane more than anything else that is drawing so much excitement in the town where hit movies like Goldstone and The Prop- ositioniti h have b been made. Proudly flying from its boom are the Queensland and Maroon flags.
“No one has even seen a crane this big out here before. We’re going to see if we can put a Diamantina Devils’ flag on it as well,” Cr Lenton said, referring to the local rugby league team.
Cr Lenton is happy man. He has been through the various stages from when the old centre went out in a blaze of glory to where now a new one is emerging from its ashes.
“It’s great to see this new building taking shape after only two months. It was a long process, picking the build- ing contractor, but it was worth it. Gabriellis are doing a great job. We couldn’t ask for better,” he said.
Cr Lenton said the interior would be “just as exciting as the outside”.
“Melbourne- based Arterial Design are doing the interior that will involve a lot of new technology including what they are calling a silicon tube billabong,” he said.
Mr Gabrielli does not expect to finish the current project until February, weather permitting, but already he has been approached by businessmen in the town about other major construction jobs.
“The opportunities that will arise from the Waltzing Matilda project will generate more opportunities for Winton,” he said.
Mr Gabrielli has 20 people on site, the bulk from Townsville, but six are from Winton.
“I am employing locally where I can. We are buying concrete in Winton. We are doing what we can for the town. That is what I believe in,” he said.
“This is like building the Opera House in the Outback. This is a technically difficult job. There’s not a straight wall anywhere, but we are up for it. We are using all the latest technology.”
Mr Gabrielli said he believed that builders or anyone else who came into towns to undertake big jobs should make a contribution.
“I believe you should add benefit other than just that of the physical task job you are doing. You should be making a contribution,” he said.
“We are a proud local North Queensland company doing a great North Queensland job,” he said.
Cr Lenton said the new centre would be for all Australians and that it would “do Australia proud”.