The Yarrawonga Library, Events and Performance Precinct has a contract sum of $7,457,395.30 with Moira Shire Council, Goulburn Valley Libraries, a low interest loan from Treasury Corporation Victoria and funding through the Victorian Governments Living Libraries Infrastructure program set to pay for most of the construction, however a fundraising committee consisting of library stakeholders has been established to help fundraise the remaining amount.
Moira Shire Council set a fundraising target of $230,000 and requested Goulburn Valley Libraries to facilitate and lead the community fundraising for the furniture and fit out for the new Yarrawonga library.
In recent years the Cobram library received an upgrade with $211,000 raised through community efforts when the target was $150,000.
Now, the community is invited to attend a community fundraising campaign aimed at bringing the vision of a new, bigger and better Yarrawonga Library to life at 26-30 Belmore Street, Yarrawonga on Thursday, September 28 from 1pm.
Co-Chair of the Yarrawonga Library Community Fundraising Committee, Barb Macdermid stated that while funding is secured to complete the building, the committee need to ensure that the library will be equipped with new modern furniture and have a state-of-the-art library fit out.
“We are upgrading and expanding the library to a new architecturally designed modern building, the existing furniture and shelving are old and tired and just will not suit the new library,” Ms Macdermid said.
“This precinct represents more than just a building; it’s a hub that will unite our community and provide a welcoming, communal space designed to foster exploration, creativity, and collaboration across all age groups.
“From the outset, we envisioned community involvement as an integral part of our project’s funding strategy.
“To achieve our campaign target of $230,000, we’re counting on the active support of the Yarrawonga community.
“We are confident that the people of Yarrawonga will rally behind this project and help us achieve our goal.”
The current Yarrawonga Library, nestled on Belmore Street, has long outgrown its capacity and is showing signs of age. Its limitations have hindered community access to its resources and facilities.
The new building’s architecture is poised to make the library a prominent and distinctive fixture in Yarrawonga.
The goal of the fundraising committee is to ensure the interior matches this vision, offering a modern and contemporary atmosphere.
The new library promises improved accessibility and a variety of engaging activities for everyone to enjoy.
The July Moira Shire Council ordinary council meeting agenda stated that library design architects have itemised and specified the furniture and fit out required for the library site in consultation with GV Libraries and the architect’s own library specialists.
This asset will become Moira Shire Councils with GV libraries to also contribute $30,000 for some loose items that they will own (kiosk, PCs).
In addition to purchasing new equipment GV libraries will also relocate a substantial amount of IT equipment from the existing library.
The target of $230,000 does not include the furniture and fit out for areas of the Library, Events and Performance Precinct that are not directly associated with the operations of the library.
