TWO decades have passed since the late Stan Roberts bought and gifted the former Koondrook Baptist Church to the Barham Koondrook Historical Society so it could have a dedicated meeting spot.
The restoration process has been a labour of love for the historical society, which has applied for various grants that have helped restump, refurbish and repaint the building.
Their hard work and dedication will be unveiled on Friday when the renamed Stan Roberts Multipurpose Facility officially opens.
Historical society member Christine Dartnell said it was a momentous occasion for the small group of volunteers, who had worked tirelessly on the project.
“It’s taken about 10 years to get the church to this stage,” Ms Dartnell said.
“It’s been restumped, we’ve sanded and sealed the floor, made various repairs and repainted the interior of the building.”
The society has improved the grounds by landscaping using funding from Gannawarra Shire Council.
While COVID and floods caused minor delays, Ms Dartnell said she was delighted to open the multipurpose facility, which would be attended by representatives of the Roberts family, including Stan’s son, Norm, the sole surviving member of the immediate family.
Mr Roberts said the church was steeped in history and was moved from Teal Point to Koondrook in the early 1900s.
“I was married in the church in 1976,” Mr Roberts said, noting it held a special place in his heart.
Mr Roberts said his father told him in 2002 of his plans to buy the church for $40,000 and gift it to the historical society so it would have a dedicated space to meet.
While Stan’s vision became a reality, he died in July that year. The official transfer took place in 2003.
Describing his father as a “very community-minded person”, Norm Roberts said he was generous, a terrific dad and a hard worker.
Members of the Roberts family are looking forward to returning to the region on Friday for the official opening.
“It’s lovely to see the building has been renamed in Dad’s honour,” Mr Roberts said.
The event will be attended by 19 family members travelling across Victoria.
Mr Roberts said he was surprised when the historical society contacted him last year, inviting them to the official opening.
“We are delighted. It’s a lovely acknowledgement of our dad.”
The opening will take place at 1pm.
