Dhurringile meeting gives voice to those affected

By Bree Harding

Jul 23, 2024

Significant infrastructure in place at Dhurringile Prison could be transformed for several other uses. A meeting to gather community members’ ideas will be held at the town’s hall on August 8.

A meeting will be held on August 8 to discuss Dhurringile Prison’s closure and for staff, residents and community leaders to consider future options for the site.

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The Victorian Government has not yet disclosed any future plan for the facility after it closes at the end of August.

Around 170 on-site staff will have to choose between taking a redundancy package or relocating to take up employment at another correctional facility.

The property was purchased by the government in 1965 and had former lives as a pastoral property (1868-1939), a World War II internment camp (1939-1945) and a rural training farm (1947-1964).

Significant infrastructure remains in place that would suit several other uses.

The government did not consult with the community before the announcement to close the prison was made.

The meeting at Dhurringile Hall on August 8 is designed to gather perspectives and preferences for the future of the historical and socially significant site from those affected in Dhurringile, Murchison, Toolamba, Tatura, Mooroopna and Shepparton, to provide them to the government.

State Members for Shepparton and Euroa Kim O’Keeffe and Annabelle Cleeland will attend, along with City of Greater Shepparton councillors and other local leaders.

The August meeting replaces the previously reported July 29 meeting, which will no longer take place.

The meeting will be held at Dhurringile Hall, Langham Rd, Dhurringile on Thursday, August 8, at 5pm.

Suggestions for the building and grounds can be emailed to 3610ourplace@gmail.com ahead of the meeting.

All are invited to attend.