A Buninyong building best avoided during the gold rush has been transformed thanks to a community-wide effort.
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The former police station, built in 1859, was in a state of disrepair but after lots of hard work will now be used by the primary school and the Friends of Buninyong Botanic Gardens.
Buninyong deputy principal Josh Ebbels said it gave the pupils a greater sense of the area’s history while also providing some extra teaching space.
“Refurbishing a 165-year-old building is hugely significant for the history of the building and also for our kids to be aware of what happened in this area,” he said.
The restoration was funded by a school fundraiser, the Buninyong and District Community Bank, the Friends of the Buninyong Botanical Gardens and a City of Ballarat grant.
Bank president Peter Mees said it was a “huge community effort” that also included work from parents, local businesses and the Buninyong Men’s Shed to get the building up to scratch after years as a toolshed.
