NEW LIFE FOR SCHEYVILLE HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Several dilapidated buildings and playing fields within Hawkesbury’s Scheyville National Park will soon begin their transformation into a key community and veteran’s centre thanks to a $5 million grant from the Albanese Government.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said this investment has the potential to achieve a number of objectives for the community as it progresses.

“The first stage of funding has now been delivered to grant recipients, Hunter Anzac Memorial Limited, who are reaching out to other community groups as they begin making several large buildings habitable,” Ms Templeman said.

“This includes a large structure that will house a military museum and have an enormous space for a variety of events use, and a second building of a similar size with opportunity for community groups to be housed. 

“In addition to the $5 million grant, there is $66,000 specific funding for restoration and landscaping in the courtyard of the former Officer Training Unit to commemorate Australians who served in the Vietnam War, provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The site has a fascinating history. NSW National Parks and Wildlife manages the park, and they talk about it as a former socialist labour settlement, then a place where young British men took part in the Dreadnought scheme, learning to farm. It later was a military camp to train new officer cadets before becoming the largest immigration hostel in Australia – so it has many stories to tell,” she said.

“I’m proud to deliver on this commitment that has the vision of this site – which has been used for many purposes over the years – to become a place for veterans and the wider community to come together.”

Chairman of Hunter Anzac Memorial Limited, Brett Wild said "Hunter Anzac Memorial Limited is thrilled to undertake this transformative venture at Scheyville. We invite community groups to join hands and partake in this journey towards preserving history and building a meaningful, inclusive centre for all."

“I congratulate Hunter Anzac Memorial Limited on their passion and commitment to this project,” Ms Templeman said.

“The plans are still very flexible at this stage and I’d encourage groups to contact Hunter Anzac Memorial if they would like to know more,” Ms Templeman said.

Ms Templeman stressed that the centre at Scheyville is separate to the federal government’s Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs that will provide a one-stop-shop for veterans and defence families to access targeted specialised services.