The entrance to Cobram wasn't always the welcoming stretch of parkland visitors see today.
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Twenty-five years ago, three determined locals proposed an idea that would transform the town's entrance.
The park once contained five former Victorian Railways homes, stretching from the corner of Murray Valley Hwy along Punt Rd towards Cobram's central business district.
At the time, many residents felt the town entrance did little to direct visitors to the CBD and failed to leave a positive first impression.
Cobram local Arthur German said that while Cobram was named Victoria's Tidiest Town in 1991 and 1993, committee members remained dissatisfied with the Punt Rd entrance.
The idea of transforming the area into public parkland was first proposed by locals Don Collie, Elizabeth DeMaria and Charlie Sinn.
“Approaches were made to community members and organisations to assess backing and financial support with the possibility of achieving a clear, park-like entrance to town,” Mr German said.
“To formalise proceedings the Tidy Towns Committee joined with Cobram Development Inc and a trust was formed under trustees John Artavilla, Gerard Cassidy and Richard Osborne to oversee the project.”
The idea quickly gained widespread community support, and the Cobram Centenary of Federation project was formally launched at the Cobram Development Awards Dinner in 2001.
The Cobram Tidy Towns Committee, led by chairman Don Collie, and the Cobram Development Committee jointly supported the initiative.
“When the vision was presented to the public, the reception to it was virtually unanimous approval,” Mr Collie said.
The original Centenary Park Committee included members of the Tidy Towns and Development committees, service club representatives and local businessmen John Anderson, Rob Jones, Greg Mentha and Leon West.
Committee chairman John Artavilla said the goal was simple.
“The vision was for an open-space entrance to the town so people driving along the highway could look through the park and see the CBD,” he said.
“Transforming the area into open parkland has allowed that to happen.”
The project received significant financial support, with the Federal Government contributing $349,000, Moira Shire Council providing $50,000 and the community raising a further $252,000.
The project involved purchasing and removing five residential homes, while incorporating adjacent state- and council-owned land to create about 5.5 acres of parkland at the entrance to the CBD.
Mr German said the transformation would not have been possible without the commitment and generosity of the local community.
He said it was a “monumental effort” by all involved, with contractors, tradespeople and volunteers coming together to clean up the site in a single day, free of charge.
Committee member Charlie Sinn also played a key role, dedicating countless hours to research and administration.
He was directly involved in preparing the economic benefit study and business plan that supported the successful federal funding application.
“The voluntary working bee supported by contractors and individuals was a highlight of the project,” he said.
“For the first time, we could clearly see the business centre from the highway.”
Today, Cobram Centenary Park is a popular destination for locals and visitors, with a skate park and playground added by council, while the historic log cabin continues to attract interest.
More recently, a colourful parrot sculpture has become another popular feature, and the park also hosts monthly Saturday markets organised by the local Lions Club.
As the park marks 25 years, Mr German said recognition should go to those who first imagined the transformation.
“Acknowledgement must go to the three Tidy Town members who initiated the project, and to the enlarged committee who saw it to completion,” he said.