By Tyler Wright
After meeting with the National Trust on Sunday 4 March, the Sherbrooke Art Society is looking to source funding for the historic Red Mill building.
Treasurer Leanne Vassallo said with no profit each year, the volunteer-led organisation has had to put plans to restore the building on hold for 10 years.
The Red Mill is listed on the Yarra Ranges heritage data base as a site of local and historical significance, with the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society, Sherbrooke Foothills Society and Monbulk Historical Society present at the meeting.
Ms Vassallo said the Sherbrooke Art Society was able to compare history records with the historical societies and found the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society had a photo in their archives showing the building newly built, along with a newspaper clipping of the opening in December 1925 from the Ferntree Gully News of the ’Belgrave Dance Palais’ – the earliest image of the building.
The following year the owner Mr Ferminger commissioned local artist and photographer Charlie Hammond to build a 10 foot windmill on the roof, Ms Vassallo said, renaming it the ’Red Mill’ in 1926.
“It was concluded that the general public and local community need to be made aware of the historical significance of our building and how vital it is that they help contribute funds to restore it,“ Ms Vassallo said.
“It was also highlighted that this unique cul de sac nestled at the entrance to Sherbrooke forest be recognised.“
The Sherbrooke Art Society bought the building in the 1960s.
Ms Vassallo said it costs the non-for-profit organisation run by volunteers $500 per week to keep the doors open with insurance, rates, gas and electricity costs, with the building currently stable but a decline in the building is expected if maintenance is put off for another five years.
“Bendigo Bank in Belgrave has given us $1000 which will kick-start the restoration fund,“ she said.
