Government grant helps save heritage site

MEMBER for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, has announced Ballarat Synagogue as one of three recipients in the electorate of a State government Living Heritage grant.

The Synagogue successfully applied for $107,000 funding from the program to undertake structural stabilisation, repairs to the roof, rainwater goods and stormwater system, windows, subfloor ventilation, rendering and urgent tree pruning.

John Abraham, Ballarat Synagogue President said the building was constructed in 1861 during the gold rush era when there were around 1000 Jews in the region.

“It is the oldest Synagogue on mainland Australia and the last one in regional Victoria,” Mr Abraham said. “You can see the cracks on the façade of the building and two pillars on the portico have noticeably shifted.”

The Living Heritage Grants Program is the biggest boost to heritage assets in Victorian history, funding the repair and restoration of the most significant places and objects throughout the state.

The program not only helps to preserve historical places it also supports traditional trades for the repair and restoration of heritage listed buildings.

“Heritage is not just about preserving history, these buildings are an important part of rural and regional Victoria and protecting our past is vital for our future,” Ms Settle said.

As the Synagogue is required to match the government funding Mr Abraham said the organisation is in the process of acquiring Deductible Gift Recipients status in order to register as a charity.

Mr Abraham has a long history with the Synagogue as his great grandfather was a founding member of the congregation.

“There are only about 15 Jews now living in Ballarat so it is a very small community,” he said. “The Geelong Synagogue closed in the 1970s so for Holy Days such as upcoming Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, people will come up from Ballarat and across the region to attend services.”