Let's talk about it: Bold new vision for a Wonthaggi creative arts and cultural precinct. By Catherine Watson
IMAGINE spending the day in our own local arts precinct. Checking out the latest exhibition from the vast Robert Smith collection of international prints and paintings. Or perhaps you’ve come for the touring Archibald exhibition, or just to enjoy some of old favourites from Bass Coast’s own collection.
You’re booked in for a print making workshop in the afternoon. Just time for a coffee and sandwich in the sunny café courtyard and to wander through the sculpture park before heading into the studio …
That’s the bold new vision for a Wonthaggi creative arts and cultural precinct envisaged by the council’s arts and culture advisory committee, made up of local artists and supporters.
IMAGINE spending the day in our own local arts precinct. Checking out the latest exhibition from the vast Robert Smith collection of international prints and paintings. Or perhaps you’ve come for the touring Archibald exhibition, or just to enjoy some of old favourites from Bass Coast’s own collection.
You’re booked in for a print making workshop in the afternoon. Just time for a coffee and sandwich in the sunny café courtyard and to wander through the sculpture park before heading into the studio …
That’s the bold new vision for a Wonthaggi creative arts and cultural precinct envisaged by the council’s arts and culture advisory committee, made up of local artists and supporters.
Their detailed and ambitious discussion paper plan was tabled at last week’s meeting of Bass Coast councillors and will be considered by the council.
The paper argues that the former Wonthaggi Secondary College campus in McBride Avenue presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a civic heart for the rapidly growing town and make it a destination for locals and visitors alike.
“Now working mainly as a drive-through shopping town (a regional services ‘watershed’), its city fabric sorely lacks a precinct dedicated to the enjoyment of cultural activities and celebration of its own identity.”
The committee says the discussion paper is the first step in creating a master plan for the site, which the State Government has promised to hand over to the council for community use. Talks are continuing on the terms of the handover, including who should pay for demolition and asbestos removal.
A Bass Coast cultural precinct has been on the radar for many years. The discussion paper says the time is right with all three tiers of Government looking to stimulate the post-COVID economy through infrastructure projects and investing in programs that support the arts and cultural tourism.
The centrepiece of the arts precinct would be a regional art gallery, showcasing Bass Coast’s artists and identity, telling our own stories and celebrating the heritage of the area – including our indigenous heritage. It would house:
The paper argues that the former Wonthaggi Secondary College campus in McBride Avenue presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a civic heart for the rapidly growing town and make it a destination for locals and visitors alike.
“Now working mainly as a drive-through shopping town (a regional services ‘watershed’), its city fabric sorely lacks a precinct dedicated to the enjoyment of cultural activities and celebration of its own identity.”
The committee says the discussion paper is the first step in creating a master plan for the site, which the State Government has promised to hand over to the council for community use. Talks are continuing on the terms of the handover, including who should pay for demolition and asbestos removal.
A Bass Coast cultural precinct has been on the radar for many years. The discussion paper says the time is right with all three tiers of Government looking to stimulate the post-COVID economy through infrastructure projects and investing in programs that support the arts and cultural tourism.
The centrepiece of the arts precinct would be a regional art gallery, showcasing Bass Coast’s artists and identity, telling our own stories and celebrating the heritage of the area – including our indigenous heritage. It would house:
- Touring collections
- Local and indigenous art of the Bunurong-Boonwurung people.
- Robert Smith Collection, featuring around 600 international and Australian works including the Noel Counihan collection of Wonthaggi mining art prints.
- The shire’s own art collection of around 100 artworks accumulated over several years featuring acquisitions and annual Your Art Collection winners
| “The Precinct will become a point of community connection: for people to meet, for artists to connect with other artists and their audiences, and for anyone to learn about art and how to create it. “It also presents an opportunity to celebrate our past, providing a place to tell our stories. Indigenous history and art should be incorporated.” The discussion paper envisages that several of the school buildings could be retro-fitted for multiple uses. Their preservation would contribute to the retention of local heritage, memory and stories, as well as being more environmentally sustainable than demolishing and rebuilding. It notes the site is ideally located on the civic spine of Wonthaggi; McBride Avenue, opposite the council offices, the old bank and Post Office, with other benefits: • Has a prominent, visible corner site on a hill with open public lawn areas on McBride creating the appropriate setting for a ‘statement building’. • Is ideal for safe pedestrian traffic. Widening the footpaths and planting trees would create an area for cafes with outdoor seating, small shops and even an arts and craft market on weekends. • Is adaptable for mixed use, possibly including housing and business. Walkable lanes through the heart of the precinct would knit the site into the town fabric. |  The proposed arts and cultural precinct would also house:
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