Bombala Infants School opened in 1863. Photo: Supplied.
Bombala residents are being urged to attend a public meeting and add their support to keep Bombala Infants School as a local community asset.
The public meeting will be held on 29 November at Club Bombala Auditorium at 11 am to dissuade Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) from selling the building.
After its completion in 1897, the Bombala Literary Institute and School of Arts was the community’s cultural hub. There were so many fond memories of social functions, dances, roller skating, concerts, movies, plays, dinners and public gatherings before its purchase by a private buyer.
After the building remained empty for years, Bombala residents watched it deteriorate to its current derelict state. It is again up for sale, with a prohibitive price tag.
As editor of the Bombala and District Historical Society newsletter, Nancy Northrop expressed the sadness felt by the group’s members at the loss of this distinctive pre-Federation-era building and its cultural heritage.
As a committee member tasked with keeping the Bombala Infants School in community hands, Ms Northrop and her fellow members are working to prevent the school from suffering the same fate.
In 2023, the NSW Government decided to auction the 162-year-0ld school in Wellington Street.
Members of the public voiced their objections and the sale was called off.
The building was transferred from TAFE to the jurisdiction of SMRC with a pledge to create an Arts and Innovation Centre. It was hoped this would lead to a cultural venue that could fill the void left by the loss of the School of Arts.
Bombala Infants School in 2017. Photo: Ian Campbell.
Initial inspection found several costly repairs were needed to deal with problems including white ants and asbestos. Unsurprisingly, no tenant was willing to take on the project and the building has remained empty.
A more recent inspection with SMRC’s project officer Greg Thompson and the Bombala Infants School Committee, including licensed builder Matt Bennett, found the building is in much better condition than previously thought.
The committee has been given six months to develop a plan to keep the school in public hands.
After examining potential options, the committee is working on putting the building into a trust.
“We’ve been inspired by the successful restoration of the Old Bega Hospital,” Ms Northrop said.
She urged community members to come together and get involved in whatever ways they can, including volunteering their skills to become part of a trust or an incorporated group to manage the building into the future.
“Bombala Public School would probably be part of the trust to manage the Infants School and other assets for the benefit of the community,” Ms Northrop said. “We would need a board of directors and a solicitor with a focus on arts and culture in our district.”
Bombala Infants School in 2017. Photo: Nancy Northrop.
The committee has already gained the support and assistance of Roderick Simpson of Simpson+Wilson Architects. Mr Simpson has experience in heritage and government projects of the kind the committee envisions.
On 20 November, committee member Pam Scott presented a progress report to a capacity crowd in the Bombala Community Centre. Her report was received with a tremendous amount of goodwill and enthusiasm from council members and residents.
The council unanimously approved a motion seeking $6000 to progress the project. Some council members also expressed interest in attending the public meeting on 29 November.
“We are only at the beginning of the journey and will need a lot of community support and council collaboration if the project is to succeed,” Ms Northrop said. “We want to preserve this asset for the benefit of Bombala.
“It is essential that there is a good turnout for the 29 November meeting, leaving SMRC in no doubt that Bombala wants this asset to remain in local hands.
“Please help us by attending the public meeting so together we can look forward to a rich cultural and community-focused future for our beautiful town.
“This opportunity is unlikely to happen again and once the building is gone, it’s probably gone forever.”
