A long-awaited open day at the former Dhurringile Prison site was held on Saturday, February 8, to the delight of the 450 people who managed to snag one of the seemingly golden tickets to the sought-after event.
When the Department of Justice and Community Safety announced the free event last month, tickets were booked out in under four hours.
The prison closed permanently on August 31, last year.
At the time, there were 178 employees at the facility, 18 of whom relocated to take up other roles within the department and 50 of whom remained working to decommission it.
As the prison enters the final stages of that decommissioning, a small team of 10 will now remain until June, taking care of safety, security and dispersal of assets.
A special VIP event was held before the scheduled tours began, where Acting Assistant Commissioner Nick Selisky welcomed the crowd and introduced Yorta Yorta man Dave Dryden to deliver a Welcome to Country.
“Corrections Victoria absolutely recognises the impact the closure of this prison has had on the community and we’re pleased that during the decommissioning period over the last several weeks, we’ve been able to give back to that community which has supported us for well in excess of 60 years,” Mr Selisky said.
“We’ve been able to disperse hundreds, if not thousands, of assets, which could not be repurposed across other government departments, back into this community.”
A full list of those community clubs and organisations who received electrical, sporting and white goods, and tools, can be found at the bottom of this article.
Mr Selisky acknowledged the Lions Club, which put on a barbecue at the event, and the Tatura and Murchison historical societies for their displays in the visitor centre.
He then invited Murchison District Historical Society’s Kay Ball to the microphone, who spoke briefly about the site’s history, before he personally guided the group of special guests around the grounds to the holding cells, Heritage-listed stables, custody reception, accommodation and through the historic mansion.
Dhurringile staff were supported on the day by others from Beechworth Correctional Centre, Tarrengower Prison and the Retired Prison Officers Association.
Most of the volunteers were ex-staff members.
Also in attendance were Prison Network Reconfiguration executive director Rob Francis and dog handlers from the dog squad, who provided drug search demonstrations and a look at their tools of the trade.
Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan was not present on the day but emphasised earlier in the week the importance of putting on the event.
“For nearly 150 years Dhurringile has been an important part of the Shepparton region,” Mr Erdogan said.
“But its role as a correctional facility for the last 60 years means many people have never had an opportunity to see inside.
“Opening the gates of Dhurringile is a unique opportunity for the community to see the site for themselves, including the Heritage-listed mansion.”
The future of the site remains uncertain; however, Mr Selisky said the first right of refusal for government organisations ended next week.
If there is no interest from within in acquiring the site, the Victorian Government will then look at selling it privately.
Clubs and organisations that benefited from the prison’s repurposed assets include Beyond Housing, 54 Reasons, Verney Rd School, Banmira Specialist School, Nathalia Angling Club, Goulburn Valley Junior Motorcycling Club, Undera Primary School, Numurkah Community Learning Centre, Nathalia Men’s Shed, Murchison Cricket Club, Goulburn Murray Landcare, North Shepparton Community Centre, Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative, Generations Op Shop, Vic Tatura SES, The Bridge Youth Service, Pitstop, Euroa Arbortoreum, Greater Shepparton Secondary College, Toolamba Fishing Club, Victoria Police (Shepparton, Murchison, Dookie, North-West Metro Region), Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad, Euroa Miniature Railway, Merrigum Community Group, Rochester Go Karts Club, Mooroopna Football Netball Club and the Murchison Football Netball Club (who will receive three large sheds from the property).