Community asset to provide lasting legacy

The Stand Like Stone Foundation is set for a generous windfall following the decision of the Monbulla Community Committee to sell off the 2.1 hectares of unused land and to set up a sub fund to provide financial assistance for community members when playing sport outside the region.

Travel and accommodation costs, especially for talented local students, can certainly accumulate quickly.

The decision to put the land up for auction and set up the Stand Like Stone Foundation sub fund was made by the reconvened Monbulla Community Committee as a way of creating a lasting legacy for both the school and hall that have called the parcel of land home.

Committee member Peter Balnaves said the decision to sell was unanimous, as was using the proceeds, after costs, to set up the fund, ensuring those with financial struggles do not miss out on sporting opportunities.

“We will all be sorry to see the hall site sold, but time moves on and the demand for these types of buildings becomes limited,” Mr Balnaves said. “This next step will be a very positive one for our community.”

The land offers 2.1 hectares of productive land ideal for those seeking a lifestyle allotment less than five minutes from Penola. It could be the perfect site to build your dream home (STCA) with historic significance and power available. Fencing is of good quality (currently fenced into five paddocks) and stock water is available.

The Monbulla School was opened 7km west of Penola on Clay Wells Rd in 1894 and was situated in a building used as a polling booth to service the closely settled community and at its peak educated 34 students.

The school closed in 1944 and children were transferred to the, then, Penola Area School.

Monbulla Hall was built as an addition to the site in1950s and would become the primary meeting place for the Monbulla community.

The Hall was said to have one of the best dance floors in the region and it would host cabaret events, the annual June Ball, the Monbulla Xmas Tree Gathering and countless birthdays, bush dances and community meetings.

The parcel of land was also home to the Monbulla Tennis and Monbulla and Ramblers Cricket clubs for more 40 years.

TDC Livestock and Property’s Mark De Garis and PPHS’s Jo O’Connor will join forces to facilitate the sale.

The auction will be held on site on February 3 at 10am.

Selling Agents:

Mark De Garis 0428 372 124, TDC Livestock & Property

Jo O’Connor 0429 854 910, PPHS