General News
25 March, 2025
Creative Station sees new faces
Last week a group of local creative talent met to lend their expertise to the Creative Station project, set to transform the northern end of the Maryborough Railway Station.
Ten community members from the newly formed Creative Station Co-Design Group met last Tuesday to begin informing the space’s future.
The group will advise council in the development of a six-month pilot program and ongoing model for the space.
While the specifics of the project aren’t yet clear, council have said the project will enable a wide range of creative events, performances, workshops and other activities to be held in the space.
Speaking to The Maryborough District Advertiser in October last year Central Goldfields Shire manager tourism, events and culture Rosalie Hastwell said the community would benefit from a diverse program of activities.
“The focus of the creative space and courtyard will be to support, present and enjoy a wide range of interesting arts and cultural performances and activities that strengthen the local visitor economy and our local creative industries,” she said.
Following the first meeting she also added the Creative Station Co-Design Group play a key foundational role to the northern end of the railway station.
“This group will support us to create a space that our community wants and needs and will play a key role in establishing the Space’s identity and ongoing programming,” Ms Hastwell said.
Last Tuesday evening’s meeting also had an unexpected attendee, Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella, who was excited to see such a diverse range of creative talent.
“For both tourists, local creatives and the broader community, activating this Creative Space will bolster the whole station. With the huge verandah over the platform, and so many wonderful events and activities over the years, it makes sense to have a place where creatives, community and visitors can come together right there,” she said.
The work is made possible due to a series of Victorian Government grants awarded to the project. In September, the facility recieved $150,000 through an application to the Victorian Government’s Creative Neighbourhood Infrastructure Support Program complimenting $100,000 received in June for ‘Creative Station — Engage and Inspire’ as part of the Victorian Government’s Council Support Program.
“The level of external grants that council has been able to attract to vastly improve the infrastructure and bring to life the iconic station for the benefit of tourism and our local community, is outstanding and our officers have put in an extraordinary effort to achieve this,” Cr La Vella said.
Ms Hastwell said through the Victorian Government funding project officer Amanda Western has been appointed to bring the Creative Station to life.
“Our experienced project officer has hit the ground running and through an expression of interest process has established the Creative Station Co-Design Group,” she said.
“We thank each of the Co-Design Group members who have generously signed on to share their skills, knowledge and experiences to help shape the future of the space.
“We look forward to seeing the north end of the Station brought to life.”