Old camp comes to life
Community connects after site saved from fate
A GOONDIWINDI couple determined to save a historical landmark from demolition have repurposed it into a community space to bring people together during challenging times.
Greenup Meeting Place owners Shelley and Ken Rielly saved the former Camp Greenup and Greenup School from demolition in October 2019.
Having attended the school more than 60 years ago, the couple were determined to bring the property back to its former glory, but their development plans for the camp were squashed due to Covid.
“It was always a youth camp but because of Covid, schools weren’t allowed to travel and have school camps,” Mrs Rielly said.
With no end in sight to the travel bans and restrictions under Covid, the couple decided to convert the site into a gathering place for the Goondiwindi community and visitors.
Mrs Rielly said restoring the forgotten camp had been an ongoing labour of love, with a lot of hard work turning it into a welcoming community gathering place.
“My husband and I are sawmillers which is a dying industry, so we wanted to also leave behind a legacy of what sawmillers produce,” Mrs Rielly said.
One of the couple’s restorations includes the community hall where people can host functions, weddings, birthdays and events.
“We are central to so many things, and people stay here for the week at the campsite and go to places like Stanthorpe and Texas during the day,” Mrs Rielly said.
“It is also a great meeting point for families as it reduces their travel times.”
Having lived in the bush their whole life, the couple’s main aim was to showcase the benefits of holidaying in rural
Queensland with campsites and dormitory accommodation for visitors.
“We wanted to bring people from the city to the bush and show them how peaceful it is and what great ambience living so remote offers,” Mrs Rielly said.
Greenup Meeting Place is located at 40 Greenup Limevale Rd on the southern edge of the Coolmunda Dam.
On November 13 and 14 the couple will hold an event at
Greenup Meeting Place showcasing local artwork and craftsmanship. All money raised through gold coin donations will go towards the Inglewood Hospital Auxiliary.