Community & Business
7 September, 2024
2000 sign pavilion petition
A PETITION calling for the Patrick English Pavilion at Malanda to be restored has attracted some 2000 signatures and been presented to Tablelands Mayor Rod Marti.
Tablelands Regional Council has made it clear that it will not attempt to restore the historic igloo given the $2.3 million it would cost to do structural repairs on the building.
An online survey, which has now closed, did not include an option for repairing the igloo, instead only asking whether locals would prefer a new similar-looking building to replace the existing pavilion, or a multi-purpose building.
Council’s consultation on the issue has now closed, with the results to be part of a report to go to council’s September meeting at which decisions are expected to be made on the building’s future.
Community advocate Matt Lachlan, who initiated the petition, says he was amazed at some of the community’s efforts to make sure they signed the document in a desperate bid to save the much-loved igloo.
“I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who has signed the petition. Thanks also to everyone who has assisted, including to businesses that had the petition available at their premises,” he said.
“There have been several, very special moments collecting signatures I’d like to share.
“There have been very frail, elderly and unwell community members attending the markets solely to sign the petition. This has been truly moving, and an experience I will not forget.
“There have been community members, with the assistance of carers who have come to sign. In some cases, needing a little help from their carers to write due to medical conditions.
“To see someone who really struggled to hold a pen adamant that their hand would be on that pen to sign leaves a lasting impression. Then there is one that I missed while having a brief break.
“A little girl came with her father - dragging her dad over for him to sign. My wife told the young lady she could also sign, and she was beaming to be able to do so.
“She wrote her name and postcode and when it came to signing she said she didn’t have a signature. Her dad explained she could make up her signature now. She asked if it could be anything, and he said ‘yes’.
“She then drew three love hearts. If the passion of these lovely people does not speak volumes, I don’t know what does.
“The pavilion matters. Community matters. Thank you everyone.”
