There are now some solid and tangible plans for what might become of Dhurringile Mansion and its grounds, thanks to loud noise from a local community alive with passion for the historical landmark.
After months of keeping mum about the future of the site, Victorian Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan has kept his promise to consult with locals, engaging in several meetings with the Dhurringile Mansion Revitalisation Committee since early August.
“The minister and his advisers, as well as key staff, have become very helpful in engaging with us and the questions we’ve been asking,” committee chair Sherri Smith-Hoyer said.
“We’ve had three meetings since the August 8 community meeting at the Dhurringile Hall, so we’ve been consulting widely.”
After a spontaneous conversation with her hairdresser, Mrs Smith-Hoyer learned how the quickly developing equestrian sector in the region had outgrown its facilities.
In turn, the revitalisation committee invited representatives from the sector to one of the meetings with Mr Erdogan. They were expecting two people; 15 came.
“Since 2014, the equestrian sectors or components in the region have been trying to find a central facility to call home,” Mrs Smith-Hoyer said.
“What we’ve put together is a draft understanding of what’s been submitted to council in the past (in 2014 and 2018) that this could potentially be, with their support, the opportunity to basically do Werribee Mansion in Dhurringile.
“So we’ve put this to the corrections minister.”
From the community meeting, a large show of hands indicated the majority of attendees favoured the site being transformed into an agricultural school.
Mrs Smith-Hoyer said the committee had looked at that pathway and found it not viable for several reasons, including competition from colleges at Dookie and Bendigo, no government funding and a lack of public transport to the area, which students needed.
However, with an equestrian centre running, there could also be an opportunity for equestrian veterinary and veterinary nursing training at the facility, with accommodation already available so students could stay on the grounds during their studies.
“Ultimately the Corrections people are really keen to find a home for this, they’re really keen to help us, they have been very encouraging based on what we’ve said,” Mrs Smith-Hoyer said after the latest meeting with the minister’s office on September 24.
“It would be to complement what we already have in the equestrian sector, but to give central Victoria a destination, because between Mornington Peninsula and Werribee, there’s nothing until central NSW for equestrian.
“This is an opportunity so that we could have state, national and global events come to our region.”
Mrs Smith-Hoyer said that it “just made sense” with so much equestrian significance in the areas surrounding Nagambie and Strathbogie, including horse-breeding facilities such as Morningside and Yulong.
“We also have Mangalore Airport that’s pretty close, which would allow for transportation of horses for delivery of horses if they’re coming from interstate,” she said.
“We found out this has been done in the past because of these stations and all the equestrian business around here. Even globally, you could bring them in and quarantine them around here as well.”
Mrs Smith-Hoyer said Greater Shepparton City Council was on board with the idea providing everything stacked up.
“We’ve been to council; we’ve had fabulous conversations with council,” she said.
“This isn’t new to them in regards to this concept. They’ve seen this before in 2014 and 2018.”
It is not yet known whether ownership of the mansion and grounds would change out of government hands if this plan were to come to fruition.
Aside from discussing the idea of an equestrian centre, Mrs Smith-Hoyer and Dhurringile Mansion Revitalisation Committee vice chair Rob Jones gave Mr Erdogan an update on community and stakeholder engagements, including Destination Goulburn Valley, the education sector, Greater Shepparton City Council and individuals who were previously involved in establishing equestrian events.
Essential worker accommodation and an Indigenous rehabilitation centre have also been put forward for consideration.
Mr Erdogan assured Mrs Smith-Hoyer and Dr Jones of an “engaging direct dialogue” with other departments regarding the future use of the site.
“I’m really excited. This has really come along quite quickly,” Mrs Smith-Hoyer said.
“This was a community-led initiative from the beginning.
“You can’t speak highly enough about people coming together when they feel like they’ve got a voice and they’ve got an opportunity to participate.
“People are encouraged after that community meeting that they are being listened to and that there are people in the community willing to roll up their sleeves and not be paid to do this work for our region, which I think is commendable for all of us.”
The prison that operated at the mansion grounds closed permanently on August 31. It is currently being decommissioned, a process that will likely be complete by the end of the year.
A community open day is being planned for after that, where the public will be able to tour the mansion and grounds.
The Department of Justice and Community Safety will continue to be responsible for the site until a future use is found.
Corrections Victoria has said it appreciated the community interest and engagement and the desire for ongoing access to the historically significant site.