People power: Concerned residents meet to discuss the future of the Kangaroo Flat cemetery chapel. Picture: Peter Weaving
Kangaroo Flat residents are confident they can salvage an old chapel that was damaged by fire.
After being earmarked for demolition, the Kangaroo Flat cemetery chapel has been given a reprieve, to allow time for restoration plans to be considered.
Members from a number of community groups met yesterday to show their support for maintaining the building. About 25 local residents voiced their enthusiasm to see it restored and said if it was demolished the cemetery would lose one of its characteristic landmarks.
The Kangaroo Flat Rotary Club has pledged financial assistance for any restoration works.
President of Kangaroo Flat Lions Club Brian Ede said he was also backing the plans. “I don’t think it’s a big job, if we can get funds for it I think it would be great,” he said.
Remembrance Parks – formerly known as Bendigo Cemeteries Trust – said the overwhelming view from residents was that they would like to see the site restored.
“The ideal situation, for us, and for residents, is to have it converted back to its original purpose,” chief executive Graham Fountain said.
The small chapel has had significant structural integrity issues after a fire last December.
Mr Fountain said the building was not heritage listed and there were budget considerations that couldn’t guarantee funding to see it rebuilt.
Another meeting to discuss future plans for the chapel will be at Kangaroo Flat Community House at 2.30pm on April 17.