Brunswick Valley Historical Society and the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to try and save the recently burnt Mullumbimby station and the historical signalman’s cottage in Mullumbimby.
Both buildings are currently in need of updating and rebuilding but Historical Society treasurer Susan Tsicalas told The Echo that, ‘we want to keep what few historical buildings we have left in Mullumbimby that haven’t been burnt down, pulled down, or destroyed.
‘The railway went through in 1894 so that’s when the signalman’s cottage would have been built, making it one of the oldest buildings in Mullumbimby. The cottage was originally built as the stationmaster’s house and then was the post office for a few years until the post office [that is now the museum] was built in 1907. It became the signalman’s cottage when Argyle Street was put in and crossed the railway line.
‘The station has always been a part of Mullumbimby and this is probably about the third station building,’ she said. ‘Originally it was on the western side, when that burnt down they moved to the eastern side. That burnt in 1954 and then they rebuilt it on its current site.
‘We’ve had a number of people take a look at the burnt-out station building, and it has good bones. It’s a double-brick building and we’ve been told that if we secure it from the weather then it could be salvaged.’
Sign the petition
The Chamber and Historical Society are asking residents and visitors to sign the petitions around town that are asking Byron Council to take responsibility for the buildings and to help them refurbish them for the community.
‘The Chamber and the museum are happy to help apply for grants and help fundraise,’ said Susan.
‘We’ve lost so many beautiful historical buildings in the town it would be so sad to lose these ones now. The State Rail Authority has told us that they are happy to pass it on to Council as they don’t want to spend money on the railway buildings.
‘There are all sorts of possibilities for the buildings from the rail trail, to an information centre for the town, to other community spaces. These buildings are very much part of our heritage and they should be preserved for the community.’
You can find copies of the petition to sign and support the campaign at the Mullumbimby Newsagency, Stewart’s Menswear, Bridglands, Mitre 10 and the IGA or click here to sign online.
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