Farina Restoration Group 5 Year Plan
The Farina Restoration Group (FRG) Committee undertakes an annual exercise to update the 5 Year plan document setting out the planned activities for the group for the next 5 years and beyond. The plan is published here so that the FRG Volunteers and the Public can gain an understanding of what’s in the pipeline of works at Farina.
Tasks in the plan are aimed at accomplishing the mission of the group.
- Stone Building Preservation
- Railway Precinct
- Farina Visitor facilities
- Visitor Center
- Bakery
- Community Interaction
- FRG Operations Centre
Preservation works on the stone buildings at Farina will be planned using the following prioritisation approach:
1. In week 1 of every season assign a stonework team to survey all buildings and undertake immediate works to make safe for the public (eg. Loose high rock, unstable walls);
2. Appoint a stonework team to undertake pointing and stabilisation in the most intact buildings (Transcontinental, Exchange, Post Office, Police Stations, Guards Cottage, Gangers Cottage) per the yearly plan below;
3. Undertake works on other stone buildings to restore building outlines to nominally 1m high to make available to the public per the yearly plan below.
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 to 2032 |
Co-ordination of stone preservation works | Appoint stonework program coordinator and weekly coordinators. | Appoint stonework program coordinator and weekly coordinators. | Appoint stonework program coordinator and weekly coordinators. | Appoint stonework program coordinator and weekly coordinators. | Appoint stonework program coordinator and weekly coordinators. | Appoint stonework program coordinator and weekly coordinators. |
Tools and equipment | Purchase a new set of scaffolding to enable an additional team to undertake high works. | Maintain sets of small tools for three teams of six people. | Maintain sets of small tools for three teams of six people. | Maintain sets of small tools for three teams of six people. | Maintain sets of small tools for three teams of six people. | Maintain sets of small tools for three teams of six people. |
Exchange Hotel | Undertake pointing and stabilisation on several walls, particularly in high areas. | |||||
Transcontinental Hotel | Undertake pointing and stabilisation work. Front-wall high up in particular. | Undertake pointing and stabilisation work. | Undertake pointing and stabilisation work. | |||
Post Office | Early program pointing now deteriorating in places. Re-point and ensure all walls capped. | |||||
“Old” Police Station | ||||||
“New” Police Station | Undertake pointing and stabilisation of stables. | |||||
Guards Cottages | Re-point brick chimney to prevent further deterioration. | |||||
Gangers Cottages | Early program pointing now deteriorating in places. Re-point and ensure all walls capped. | |||||
Moffatts House | Undertake pointing and stabilisation work. | |||||
Bells Store | Uncover and plan preservation works. | |||||
Napiers Store | Uncover and plan preservation works. | |||||
Station Masters Cottage | Uncover and plan preservation works. | |||||
Lemonade Factory | Uncover and plan preservation works. | |||||
“Olly Smits” Cottage | Uncover and plan preservation works. | |||||
Shed & House behind Moffatts | Uncover and plan preservation works. | |||||
Blacksmiths Lots 395 & 396 | Uncover and plan preservation works. |
The ongoing aim for the Railway Precinct is to “Develop the rail precinct by adding infrastructure, buildings and storyboards. Ongoing maintenance of precinct. Investigate the supply of additional rail infrastructure.”
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 to 2032 |
Railway Precinct projects | Transport and install locomotive NSU 62. |
Build Goods Shed to protect NSU 62. Install pedestrian precinct free from cars. |
Restore a building in the precinct to house displays and memorabilia. Enhance pedestrian precinct. |
The ongoing activities for the maintenance of visitor facilities are:
- Continue the scheduled and planned site maintenance program for all mechanical plant, streetscapes, sign maintenance and pergolas, cemetery, war memorial, walking trails, railway infrastructure and equipment;
- Maintenance of safe and informative walking trails for visitors;
- Ongoing enhancement of the Volunteer campground;
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 to 2032 |
Specific projects | Rebuild stone steps to Anzac memorial to facilitate safe access for all visitors. |
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The visitor center was officially opened in 2021 and is known as “Pattersons House”. It houses the Bakery kitchen, Cafe, Merchandise and Museum space.
Ongoing aims at the visitor center include:
- Progressively implement an educational display system;
- Progressicely upgrade the internal fitout as required.
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 to 2032 |
Projects | Install Internet connection to Pattersons house covering period of each work program. |
The Bakery includes the Underground Oven, the food preparation kitchen in Paterson’s House and the Cafe.
The ongoing aim of the FRG for the Bakery is to “Maintain an exciting bakery production menu for tourism. Train volunteers and staff. Undertake routine maintenance on kitchen, café and underground oven.”
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
Retail Systems | Install new Point of Sale system to cover Café and Merchandise. |
A key aim of the FRG is to welcome visitors to Farina and to enable them to learn about the history of Farina.
The following ongoing activities are undertaken by the Farina Restoration Group:
- Encourage work experience and education for district schools from Leigh Creek, Maree and local area;
- Hold triannual ANZAC Dawn Services. Hold annual Cricket match and Flight Lieutenance John Napier Bell days;
- Undertake research into the history of Farina and showcase in the museum displays and on the Farina Website;
- Continue to maintain and enhance the FRG Website and Facebook Groups.
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
Planned Activity | Anzac Service | Anzac Service |
The FRG Operations Center is a large shed located to the west of the Underground Bakery, built by the group in 2014 and used by the group as a workshop, office and first aid facility.
Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
Planned Activity | Construct toilet and shower. | Upgrades as necessary | Upgrade tools | Fine tune as necessary | Fine tune as necessary |