Interest in developing the historic Dhurringile Mansion into a hub for all local horse clubs is gathering momentum among the Goulburn Valley’s established riders.
Photo by
Shepparton Heritage Centre
Local horse stalwarts have joined the growing enthusiasm for transforming the Dhurringile Mansion site into a hub for a range of equine organisations and say it would attract major horse events to the Goulburn Valley.
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A meeting held in August saw community members discuss options for the decommissioned prison with Victorian Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan.
Previous interest in using the building and surrounding grounds for a veterinary science training campus and student accommodation has been found to not be viable.
Experienced Shepparton equestrian coach Sally Ross said any proposal would need to be utilised by all horse organisations.
Ms Ross drew on comparisons with Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, Victoria’s leading equine site, where she had much experience during her well-travelled competitive career.
“I think it is a good idea, but we all need to be on the same page,” Ms Ross said.
“If there was something to go ahead at Dhurringile, it might be similar to Werribee.”
Ms Ross said other cities had similar venues such as Sydney’s former Olympic equestrian stadium.
“They run international events there, and in Adelaide they have a big three-day event and run that in the centre of town.
“I am pretty sure that if we had the right venue here, we would certainly get the big international competitions.”
Tatura-based dressage coach Caroline Coleby has a very long history in equestrian competition and recalled the workload needed to establish Werribee Park.
“I remember all the planning and bits and pieces for Werribee in the mid-1970s,” Ms Coleby said.
“I personally think (Dhurringile) is a good location and would be a really good place, but as to actually funding it, the government is different now.”
Ms Coleby said the project needed to be ‘realistic’ with good infrastructure and the ability to fund itself.
“I personally think it’s a good location and would be a really good place, but it needs to have a good return,” she said.
“The money for such a development is now fairly substantial with it having all the bells and whistles compared to the 1970s, and it might well pay its way, but it might not.”
David Quick from Isle of Wight Farm in Murchison said the vision for Dhurringile was ‘certainly feasible’ and that it could accommodate all the different horse clubs in the area as either their home base or training and competition grounds.
Mr Quick said a combination of government, private enterprise and the different discipline clubs could fund the establishment of the centre and suggested building multiple arenas to accommodate all horse events without need for changing surfaces.
“But if you broaden the concept to the public then people might think ‘well, that’s a good idea’ because it can be multi-faceted without cutting across the horse side of things,” Mr Quick said.
“Such as a camping ground, where you can stay with horses as well; there can be a seedbank there for the Euroa catchment area; it can have functional tourist things like a heritage garden as a possible overview as well, with its own gardening club.
“It has got so much potential – it’s a magnificent venue.”
Both Mr Quick and Ms Ross agreed an equestrian centre would not reduce patronage of either Tatura Park Equestrian Complex or Elmore Equestrian Park because both facilities were already well supported.
“I can’t see it cutting across the Tatura and Elmore facilities,” Mr Quick said.
“Tatura Park doesn’t have a lot of space but it is doing feasibly well – I don’t believe it would be in conflict with them.”
Ms Ross said the influx of visitors would be a financial boon to the surrounding communities.
“And you don’t always need to be a horse person to go to these events; people can still love the show, it doesn’t only appeal to the horse people.”
Equestrian figures are discussing the opportunity that the vacancy of the Dhurringile Mansion could offer.
