“WE ARE an ageing committee and we need members – we want to keep the building open,” National Trust SA Mount Gambier branch chair Willie Davidson told The Border Watch this week.
The building in question, the historic Old Mount Gambier Courthouse, will remain closed indefinitely for major structural repairs due to a roof leak.
The 152 year old building is the only heritage listed building in Mount Gambier open to the public and is maintained by around 15 National Trust members.
“With only 15 members it’s a big effort, a few people are over 80 and some members are in their 90s,” Mr Davidson said.
“We need to get the community involved – the building is just too valuable to let go.”
While National Trust SA has indicated it will fund necessary repairs to reopen the building, committee member Don Currie said without community support the future of the museum and adjoining gallery was in doubt.
“All the repairs and everything we do here are very costly because it’s a heritage building and we have to adhere to a lot of red tape and regulations,” Mr Currie said.
“Fundraising with sausage sizzles to try and cover these thousands and thousands of dollars is just not on and it’s very inequitable really.
“We do have an aged committee, who are all dedicated, but never the less we are limited.
“We would love to have younger people join our committee to share fresh ideas and help us continue to preserve this unique piece of the town’s history.”
Mr Davidson said National Trust SA had lobbied the State Government for “possibly the last 12 years” to acquire the state-owned building.
“The building is owned by the State Government and the National Trust has been dedicated the building – in other words, we look after it,” he said.
“We would like to see the government pass the building to the trust so we can benefit from that – by not owning the building we are at a great disadvantage.
“At this stage we are lead to believe the trust will give us the money we require to do the work to reopen the building and we have several ideas on how to raise funds that we are mulling over at the moment.”
The building will remained closed under occupational health and safety regulations until the structural repairs are complete.
“We have engaged a local building surveyor and they were brilliant, we feel confident this repair work will stand the test of time,” Mr Davidson said.
“We are waiting on a structural engineer’s quote and then it’s totally up to Adelaide as to when they start repairs.
“We just want to keep the jewel in the legal crown here – you can look across the road and see modernity but you can come here and see where capital punishment was imposed.”
Any donations made towards the courthouse are tax deductible.
Call Heather Kellas on 0498 108 540 or email ntsamountgambier42gmail.com for further information on membership and donations.
