2026 Week 3 Restoration | The Rescue of Farina

The 2026 Week 3 Restoration Works

Given world events in early 2026 the Committee wasn't sure how many visitors would be coming through Farina this season, however by week 3 it was apparent that visitor numbers were similar to last year. Bakery supply ordering had been conservative but now the Bakery needed the usual quantities, and around the site the volunteers were hard at work clearing weeds and grass and getting stuck into the Stonework and Railway construction.

Marcus, Jocelyn, Ian and Gaylene took on the task of weeding at the Farina cemetery. For three days they tackled the weeds with shovels, hoes, rakes a wheelbarrow and a whipper snipper. Clearing the entrance and the first four rows!

Great teamwork and very rewarding seeing the finished work! But still plenty more to do for other enthusiastic volunteers.

Cemetery cleanup team

Hard at work at the cemetery

Clearing cemetery weeds

Clearing more weeds at the cemetery

A big pile of weeds from the cemetery

Our on-site volunteer reporter Gaylene visited the "Stonies" this week to see how work was progressing on the new Police station. They were a little less forthcoming with information, as they had been hammered by the media, so one stony said to Gaylene, "You may have to contact the stonemason directly for any concrete information." They had three school groups visit this week along with lots of other visitors. The front wall is looking good, and they are working hard to stabilise the back wall.

Repointing the capping stones on the front wall

Repairing the window openings on the front wall

Repairing the back wall of the new Police Station

Good progress on the side wall repointing

By week 3 the replica Ticket Office was coming along well, with cladding well underway. The Farina sign was put back a couple of years ago on some posts, however when the Ticket Office is complete the sign will be reinstalled into its original position on the building.

Photo from the 1950s

Working plans

Starting the front wall cladding

Railway sign ready for the waiting room

North wall cladding finished

Keeping the chisel sharp

Fixing battens

Week 3 saw the annual cricket match hosted at the Farina Cricket Ground (FCG) with Farina v's "The rest of the World", and a great day was had by all. Many laughs as always at this years game. Kevin Dawes, Captain of the Farina side, bowled very well and rallied his team for another victory. Even if some umpiring decisions had some players and spectators scratching their heads. The FCG had a good crowd around the edges with many staying on for live music and soup and Sausage. Overall everyone had a very enjoyable day.

Great day at the FCG

Will it be another 6

Some great fast bowling

Kevin about a belt the ball

And thats out

A great crowd of spectators this year

Greg, Rosalyn, Ian and Gaylene started the big job of painting all the information boards, directional road and walking track signs with linseed oil.

Two days in and they are over half way. Some of the big signboards require a ladder to reach the rafters. In most roofed signboards we are finding three Zebra Finch nests in the ridge or apex of the roof, these cute little birds were actively coming and going while they were painting.

If you visit Farina you'll find lots of these information boards around the site to help you imagine what Farina was like back in its heyday.