Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 11:35
Thanks for posting this, Slow.
A devasting day for
Winton, and the district! The
Waltzing Matilda Centre was more than just a building to celebrate our national song.
It housed a Information Centre for travellers needing bookings, information and even reassurance about travel plans. There was a Westpac sub-branch helping to keep one and all cashed up, and local businesses to store their takings. A Gift
shop with usual souvenirs, clothing and books about the district.
The Coolibah Cafe has been run by Amanda, and her staff for 17 years, producing excellent meals, snacks and pastries for local and tourist customers. The Gallery always had an interesting display of art, sculpture and photos, to view and purchase. There was a large amount of historic records of the local stations that seems to have been lost.
A number of dedicated locals spent many weeks preparing and researching a World War 1 display, prior to Anzac Day 2015, that commemorated the many local blokes who enlisted for the Great War. While they might have electronic records of this display, the display itself would have been destroyed.
As
well as the loss of this icon, at least a dozen staff would now be unemployed in the short term. No doubt some effort will be put into opening a temporary information centre and possibly a Westpac facility.
![Loss of the Centre - Winton](https://cdn.exploroz.com/images/forum/uploads/46566_6__TN600F.jpg?gid=119748)
Loss of the Centre - Winton
![Waltzing Matilda Centre - Winton Qld](https://cdn.exploroz.com/images/forum/uploads/46566_3__TN600F.jpg?gid=119745)
Waltzing Matilda Centre - Winton Qld
![Coolibah Cafe - Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton](https://cdn.exploroz.com/images/forum/uploads/46566_4__TN600F.jpg?gid=119746)
Coolibah Cafe - Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton
![Fireys still in attendance, after 8 hours work.](https://cdn.exploroz.com/images/forum/uploads/46566_5__TN600F.jpg?gid=119747)
Fireys still in attendance, after 8 hours work.
On a somewhat brighter note, the Vision Splendid Film Festival is still going ahead. The Festival runs from 26/06/15 - 04/07/15, and features many Aussie films like Mad Max series, including Mad Maz 4, Last Cab to
Darwin, with Michael Caton and many more that I can't find just now. :-)
The daytime screenings were to be in the McPherson Threatre at the Centre, but as that's no longer possible, another venue will be organised. Night time screenings will be in the Royal Threatre, an event not to be missed.
So please stop in
Winton! Cheapest fuel in the Central West, meals available at all 4 pubs, and good coffee at Balamara
Bakery and the coffee
shop attached to the North
Gregory Pub.
Winton residents are a tough lot, but they'll still need some assistance to recover from this tragedy.
Thanks,
Bob & Linda (only been in the district 26 years)
AnswerID:
556106
Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 12:39
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 12:39
Good luck out there Bob...Baz
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842234
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen - Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 20:10
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 20:10
Hullo Bob
Just so sad to hear of this fire and the devastation it has brought about.
We were there only last August and spent many days in
Winton, enjoying the Centre and ancillary facilities as
well as many other attraction in and around the town.
What with the drought and the resulting reduction in turnover for local businesses, this is a severe blow :-(
Please pass on our warm regards to Butch when you next see (just remind him of the white F250 :-)
Cheers
Andrew
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842245
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 20:12
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 20:12
Hi Bob
I did not know you were from
Winton. We were there just over a week ago and had 2 great days in town. The centre was fantadtic and shows how proud the town people are for such a fantastic centre.
In true Aussie spirit, I know the centre will be back to life as quick as possible. We will be back in your great town again in a few days and if you are around, would love to catch up.
All the very best to the great people on
Winton.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
842246
Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 20:52
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 20:52
Hello Bob,
I didn't know you were from
Winton either. I'm very sorry to hear of the town's loss. We were there a couple of years ago and loved it, especially the
Waltzing Matilda Centre and its centrepiece, the story of Waltzing Matilda. I hope you can restore it to what it was, a real gem.
Had a great time at the caravan park with a bush poetry competion - fabulous.
We'll be back - maybe see you there.
Cheers
FollowupID:
842247
Follow Up By: Fiona & Paul - Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 22:33
Thursday, Jun 18, 2015 at 22:33
Bob our thoughts are with all at
Winton, we were up there 3 weeks ago for a few days on our way
home from the
Daintree - always come back
home via
Winton.
We will be back again sooner rather than later!
Regards Paul H & Fiona
FollowupID:
842253
Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jun 20, 2015 at 18:17
Saturday, Jun 20, 2015 at 18:17
Thanks for your thoughts everyone!
There's been a heap of support from many people, a lot of them being people like yourselves who have travelled through the area, and sampled some of the delights in the district.
As Peter mentioned below, a temporary Information Centre was opened yesterday in the old Wookatook premises. This is next to the newly refurbished
Winton Pharmacy, or directly opposite Searles Outback Store.
The Council met yesterday and they have decided to rebuild on the same site and it is expected to be opened again in September, 2016.
Police haven't advised the cause of the fire, but they indicated that there were "no suspicious circumstances".
Some of the staff are now at the new Info Centre, and a number of others have secured employment at 4 different local businesses.
And the daytime venue for movies during the Vision Splendid Film Festival is to be the Shire Hall. This will be ideal, as it can
seat many more people than the original venue.
And that's about all I know at present.........I don't get out much. :-)
Thanks,
Bob
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