As we were cleaning up the wool shed the other day, my mate Mick, the sage of Wisemans Creek, asked: “Why don’t they just crack on with it? It’s b….y fantastic”. I resolved that in this case, what’s said in the paddock is not going to stay in the paddock.
Deep within the bowels of #158 Russell Street, the Powers That Be are starting to realise there is great public interest in getting going at the old TAFE building in William Street. When I posted some interior photos of it on the Bathurst Heritage Matters Facebook page (have a look), it reached only 6,880 people and got only 3,404 responses. Clearly, the public is not interested. Hardy Ha Ha!
Mick reckons a change of thinking is required – that this building is not a bag full of problems, it’s a golden opportunity. He says what’s needed asap is a Master Concept Plan for the TAFE building. That way, a sensible staged approach could be taken over time, and we would not be sitting here in another ten years still wondering how to start.
A little bird told me that Council indeed has a Concept Plan, which a quantity surveyor has costed. Council, please publish The Plan.
The newly installed Story of Bathurst project at the rear of the TAFE has been met with enormous interest – the latest Facebook post of some visitors there reached over 5000 people.
Without great cost (most of which could be covered by sponsorships), here is another suggestion to activate interest … a large mural in Ribbon Gang Lane on the side wall of the William Street shop opposite the old TAFE. The mural would depict many of the skills and trades formerly taught at the TAFE, such as Typing, Wool Classing, and Automotive. It would tell the story of the activities at the TAFE from the 1890’s, be a significant tourism attraction, resonate with many Bathurstians, and add to interest in the Robin McLachlan Heritage Walk.
Thought of the week …“our pic is from 5 years ago – nothing happened.”
by a humble heritage advocate – June 2026
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