New arts life for railway station

The unused Trafalgar Railway Station building has been transformed into an arts and community space.

The new look station was officially opened last Saturday after a $435,000 restoration and refurbishment project.

The building is being leased by the Trafalgar and District Community Bank while the Baw Baw Arts Alliance will manage the building as a community arts exhibition and workshop space.

The project included replacement of internal walls and part of the floor as well as enclosing a breezeway. The building now has accessible toilets and a kitchenette to cater for community events.

The railway station was constructed in 1911, replacing another building previously on the site.

At the opening last weekend, Trafalgar and District Community Bank manager Phil Drummond said the bank was involved in renovating the Yarragon railway station last year and after assessment of the Trafalgar station it was a “no brainer” to get involved in this project.

“The township of Yarragon has benefitted from a terrific arts and community facility and the broader community has also benefitted from the programs being run from the station gallery and the prominence of its position.

“What we learnt from this was there was no way we could let Trafalgar miss out,” Mr Drummond said.

The project was funded by the state government’s “community use of vacant rail buildings program.”

Jason Murray of VicTrack said Trafalgar was the 10th station to be refurbished under the program.

He said the program had been transforming buildings across the state.

“This building was empty for many years and some of you would know the sire state it was in internally.

“Now I am delighted to say it is thriving once again, after taking on a new lease of life as a community arts exhibition and workshop space.

“For so many years people walked past the empty station. Now it is a true landmark for the township and something you should all be proud of,” he said.

VicTrack infrastructure and facilities manager Andy Santana said the station now had a community arts space that would give people a much needed creative hub and bringing the station building back to life.

“The Baw Baw Arts Alliance played a significant role in transforming the nearby Yarragon Station, so I am excited to see what they have in store for Trafalgar.”

Mr Santana said funding program gave communities new spaces while restoring disused, historic buildings for future generations.

“It has also provided a boost for tourism, by attracting people to regional towns who then go on to visit other local businesses,” he said.

VicTrack community building program manager Jean Parson (left) and Trafalgar and District Community Bank manager Phil Drummond celebrate the refurbishment project with Baw Baw Arts Alliance members Sue Murphy and Anita George (right).

Right: At the Trafalgar Railway Station opening are VicTrack project manager Sebatian Costantino, Cr David Balfour and architect Andrew Davidson.

Below right: At the Trafalgar Railway Station opening, VicTrack community building program manager Jean Parson (centre) hands out commemorative books to Ingrid Thomas and Sue Murphy.

Aboroginal elder Wayne Thorp respnds to the welcome to country.

Trafalgar community members keen to see the new look railway station are (from left) Hazel Rouget, whose husband Norm was the last full time station master at Trafalgar, Kathy O’Connell and Carolyn Eden.