A group of Bombala residents has formed a committee to save the old Bombala infants school in Wellington Street and is exploring options for preserving the iconic landmark.

Pam Scott, a member of the committee, spoke at a Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) meeting at Bombala last Thursday to advise council of the committee’s progress, intentions and positive feedback it has received.

She asked council to provide $6000 from the Bombala reserve fund to develop a viable future plan for the building in collaboration with experienced facilitator and Sydney architect, Rod Simpson.

The committee has compiled a list of uses for the building, which was at one stage a NSW TAFE campus, including renting out as meeting rooms, running cooking classes, a jam factory, platypus museum and Indigenous centre.

Mrs Scott informed the council the Cooma Correctional Centre has assured the committee it will provide general maintenance of the grounds around the building as a free service.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the release of funding, encouraging the committee to continue with the proposed project.

The champagne flowed later that day as committee members celebrated this endorsement.

Council’s project officer, Greg Thompson, has met with the old Bombala infants school committee, including licensed builder Matt Bennett, to conduct an inspection of the site. The inspection revealed that the building, built in 1863, is in much better condition than previously thought.

Committee members are confident this will result in less expenditure needed to restore the building to a functional standard.

“We have had two inspections from a local builder experienced in restoration work, notably at the old Bega Hospital which recently received a National Trust award for its magnificent restoration,” Mrs Scott said.

“The committee has been inspired by the restoration of the old Bega hospital and is using the old Bega hospital as a model for what is possible for the old infants school as both the restoration and the Trust funding the progress and future of this award-winning project are commendable.”

The school holds special memories for many Bombala residents, which has prompted the committee to ask for community input on how to preserve it as a key part of Bombala’s heritage, while ensuring it remains a vibrant, viable space for future generations.

A public meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, 29 November at 11.30am in the Club Bombala auditorium to discuss the future of the historic building.

“We want to save the old school, we don’t want it to become like the Literary Institute which is now in such a bad state of repair,” Mrs Scott said.

“We have to respect our old buildings, not just in Bombala, but everywhere, and restore them where we can to keep these lovely old building facades in our towns.”

Committee member, Nancy Northrop, has urged locals to become involved in the project in “whatever way we can by volunteering our services to become part of a trust or an incorporated group to manage the building into the future”.

“This opportunity is unlikely to happen again and once the building is gone, it’s probably gone forever,” she said.

Ms Northrop said those campaigning to save the building are fortunate to have had the support and assistance of Sydney-based architect, Rod Simpson.

“Rod has experience in heritage and government projects of the kind we are proposing for the Bombala infants school and former TAFE.

“Together we can look forward to a rich cultural and community-focussed future for our beautiful town,” Ms Northrop said.