Linton Presbytery school restoration project
Donation protected
This magnificent Linton Catholic Presbytery, while structurally sound, has been sitting unused for several years, and is in need of restoration to prevent deterioration and to enable the building to be put to good use.
The history of the property dates back to the 1850's when priests would travel by horse from Ballarat to Linton, sleeping overnight beside their horse in the stable (below), before saying Sunday Mass for the congregation and heading back to Ballarat.
The presbytery was built in the 1920's by ancestors of the Linton Catholic Parish families, and the parish is eager to retain ownership of the presbytery, and want to see it put to a use that benefits the children of local parish families.
The history of the property dates back to the 1850's when priests would travel by horse from Ballarat to Linton, sleeping overnight beside their horse in the stable (below), before saying Sunday Mass for the congregation and heading back to Ballarat.
The presbytery was built in the 1920's by ancestors of the Linton Catholic Parish families, and the parish is eager to retain ownership of the presbytery, and want to see it put to a use that benefits the children of local parish families.
As a group of of local parish families, Ballarat Frassati have engaged the services of an architect to determine the feasibility of renovating the building to establish a small, non-profit grass roots school, Our Lady of Fatima Linton School.
The plans provide for up to 50 children, and we intend to hand the presbytery back to the Linton parish in a renovated state after a period of 5 years, so that the parish can use the premises for the benefit of the Linton community and beyond.
At this stage it is anticipated that by this time we would have secured a site at Smythesdale capable of growing the school to our desired P-10 size, with VCE being offered by 2030.
The plans provide for up to 50 children, and we intend to hand the presbytery back to the Linton parish in a renovated state after a period of 5 years, so that the parish can use the premises for the benefit of the Linton community and beyond.
At this stage it is anticipated that by this time we would have secured a site at Smythesdale capable of growing the school to our desired P-10 size, with VCE being offered by 2030.
We have personally funded investigative works, planning permit submission and a feasibility study, and subject to VRQA approval, a 2020 start to our school now looks promising, beginning with primary years.
The school will be governed by the parents of students and the founding members, and will be completely independent of the Catholic Education Office and Ballarat Diocese. The curriculum will be strong in logic and reasoning, the arts, and technology, drawing upon the professional backgrounds of the founding parents.
While we have been able to personally cover costs to date, we now need help to prepare our community run school for opening.
We are eager to get underway with restoration, which includes repairing stucco pillars and replacing the veranda decking to facilitate accessibility for those with special needs, finishing off plaster works and painting inside, new carpet and flooring, and progressively making the changes necessary inside the building to enable it to be used as a school or other community facility in the future.
We estimate that with many working bees and voluntary work, renovations are likely to add up to at least $100,000.
If we can find 1000 people around the globe willing to donate just $100 each, we're confident we can make this happen!
Thank you so much for considering donating to the restoration of this magnificent building. Your donation will support the Linton community now, and well into the future in the hands of the descendants of those who built it a century ago.
Here's to it lasting another 100 years!
For further information about the school project, please see our website: http://frassatiballarat.net.au/ or email Damian Meade: [email redacted].au
To contact the fundraising organiser, please email Paul Casanova ([email redacted])
The school will be governed by the parents of students and the founding members, and will be completely independent of the Catholic Education Office and Ballarat Diocese. The curriculum will be strong in logic and reasoning, the arts, and technology, drawing upon the professional backgrounds of the founding parents.
While we have been able to personally cover costs to date, we now need help to prepare our community run school for opening.
We are eager to get underway with restoration, which includes repairing stucco pillars and replacing the veranda decking to facilitate accessibility for those with special needs, finishing off plaster works and painting inside, new carpet and flooring, and progressively making the changes necessary inside the building to enable it to be used as a school or other community facility in the future.
We estimate that with many working bees and voluntary work, renovations are likely to add up to at least $100,000.
If we can find 1000 people around the globe willing to donate just $100 each, we're confident we can make this happen!
Thank you so much for considering donating to the restoration of this magnificent building. Your donation will support the Linton community now, and well into the future in the hands of the descendants of those who built it a century ago.
Here's to it lasting another 100 years!
For further information about the school project, please see our website: http://frassatiballarat.net.au/ or email Damian Meade: [email redacted].au
To contact the fundraising organiser, please email Paul Casanova ([email redacted])
Fundraising team: Ballarat Frassati (2)
Paul Casanova
Organizer
Smythes Creek VIC
Damian Meade
Beneficiary
Damian Meade
Team member
