The Peel tourism industry is a core component of the Peel Regional Development Blueprint representing growth in our region through the unlocking of new markets and our ability at attract new visitors to our vast natural and built attractions, enticing them to visit more frequently and to stay longer.
The Boddington Interpretive Centre will play a critical role in educating visitors not only about the attractions and services that Boddington has to offer, but also the stories, history and artefacts that make it a unique place to visit.
Educating visitors about the people, events, environment and industries that have shaped the community and its history is not only good for tourism, but also contributes to building strong and resilient communities by creating a sense of place and avenues for contribution for the existing community.
Located in a Boddington Old School building to the rear of the Boddington Old School site, the multi-purpose building also houses a new café,
the new Boddington Public Library and Visitor Centre overlooking the Hotham River and forming part of the wider Hotham River Foreshore Plan.
The café is owned by the Shire of Boddington and has been leased to a local business called the Rusty Camp Oven. In addition to normal trading hours, the Rusty Camp Oven is trialling an entrepreneurial model whereby encouraging other start-up hospitality businesses to operate on a number of evenings.
The co-location of the interpretive, visitor, library and café services will provide an excellent opportunity for increased employment and business opportunities and is in itself, a great contribution to the strength and resilience of this community.
The Boddington Interpretive Centre will continue to develop and build on its stories following the core themes of Agriculture, Industry, Environment & Community, tying together elements of place, character, pride in history and enthusiasm for the future.
Communities of today and the future need innovative spaces that are able to meet a range of needs and this is an excellent example of one of those spaces.
The Peel Development Commission contributed $100,000 towards this project as part of the Government’s Regional Grants scheme.
This article was first published in the Peel Magazine, Spring/Summer 2018 – vol 4.2 – to read and download the full magazine, click here.