Boorhaman CFA bids for Primary School

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 9 Jan 09

Boorhaman brigade is keen to make vacated facility its home

Written by STEVEN BURKE.

BOORHAMAN CFA has its eyes on the town’s recently vacated school.

With just three students, Boorhaman Primary School closed its doors at the end of last year.

While it is currently vacant, the school remains one of, if not the best equipped facilities in the small town, with a toilet block, several classroom buildings, a huge water tank, and the only cable broadband connection in Boorhaman.

It is for these reasons that local CFA captain and former school council president, Peter Seymour, wants to see the school remain in public hands.

Mr Seymour said the school would make an ideal base for the ever-expanding Boorhaman fire brigade, which currently has about 40 members, but a very modest fire shed.

"We held a barbecue late last year to raise money for a toilet block at the CFA shed, as we have several new female members," he said.

"But across the road at the school, there is already a toilet block.

"The school would make an excellent staging area and training ground.

"And with the only cable broadband connection, it would mean we could do a lot more CFA business there, rather than coming into town."

Mr Seymour said Boorhaman CFA would play an important part in future firefighting in the area, especially if the State Government’s new Warby-Ovens National Park is established.

"Most of our call outs are in the river flats," he said.

"And if this park is established, a large portion of it will be close to Boorhaman."

Several pieces of equipment have already been taken away from the school, including the playground.

Manager of stakeholder relations at the Department of Education office in Benalla said it would be at least a term before the school’s future is decided.

"The regional office will take the next term to wind up the final affairs of the school," she said.

"Once that is completed, the school property will be handed back to the department’s property unit in Melbourne.

"They are in charge of dispersing properties.

"They will make a decision, like if a group is interested in buying it or it can go to public auction."