The restoration of the iconic Sale Water Tower in Victoria Park, Sale, is well underway but more community support is needed to see the project to completion.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Federal Government had provided $10,000 toward the project to restore the brick tower as a water museum and visitor lookout.
Mr Chester will also donate $2 for every entrant who beats him to the finish line in this weekend’s Race the Rubeena Community Fun Run, which is raising money to complete the water tower restoration.
Mr Chester said the water tower was an important part of the district’s history.
“The former Sale Council was the first municipality in Australia to trial artesian water as a public water supply and the project created much excitement Australia-wide,” Mr Chester said.
“A water museum will be created inside the tower sharing this unique slice of history and there’ll be a lookout taking in views of Sale to create a new tourist attraction.
“The completed project will provide an economic stimulus for Sale by providing another reason for people to stay in the area longer.”
Peter Synan, from the Sale Historical Society Water Tower Restoration Committee, said projects like the water tower brought community members together.
“We began a community campaign back in 2016 to restore this exceptional building as a water museum and visitor lookout to preserve the history of this building and share the story of Sale’s early years with our local community,” Mr Synan said.
“The completed tower will complement other historical icons in the area including The Rubeena, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sale Powder Magazine and the Swing Bridge.
“Interestingly, both the Swing Bridge and Sale Water Tower were designed by leading colonial architect/engineer John Grainger, who designed 14 bridges including Princes Bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne.”
Mr Synan thanked Sale builder Peter Lowe and Brian Castles for their assistance with the project.
“Peter and Brian have been a great help to us in commencing the restoration and we’re also grateful for the Federal Government’s contribution – but there’s more work to be done and we’re hopeful the community will support the building project.”
All proceeds raised from this weekend’s Race the Rubeena Community Fun Run will be donated to the Sale Water Tower restoration project. For more details go to http://racetherubeena.com.au
Anyone able to donate the project can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/sale-water-tower-restoration
