The Longwood stage was donated to the Community Centre by Steve and Sally Tobin.
Photo by
Steve Tobin
An old steel bridge destined for disposal has been given a second life as a stage at the Longwood Recreation Reserve, thanks to a group of volunteers determined to create something positive after a challenging year.
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Local boilermaker and welder Steve Tobin made the stage from the bridge, with help from his wife Sally, friend Rowan Craven and other volunteers.
Mr Tobin said after the January bushfires, the community needed something to look forward to.
“We had to keep moving forward,” he said.
“I decided, just after the fires, there wasn't enough hectic stuff going on in my life, so I'd build a stage before the Beer, Wine and Cider Festival.”
“So, I built it at home with the help of a mate, Rowan Craven and a local farmer Max McBernie helped me transport it.”
Completed in time for the popular annual festival, the stage helped improve the experience for performers, replacing the back of a truck with a purpose-built entertainment area.
“Having more infrastructure saves people in the future from having to do more work on the day and in the lead up. It's just making life easier,” Mr Tobin said.
He hopes the stage will become a well-used community asset.
“I hope schools use it. I would love to see some bigger events there, country and western concerts or even some raves,” he said.
“The setting is sensational. It's just a beautiful spot, a natural amphitheatre.”
Mr Tobin said the project was a community effort. The redundant steel bridge was donated by Inland Rail and Seymour Cranes picked it up.
“Inland Rail was sensational ... it was a win-win because they didn't have to cart it away, and we got to keep a bit of Longwood history.”
President of the Longwood Football and Netball club Ricki Shiner said the stage is a valuable addition to the reserve.
“It’s good for the town, and it’ll help bring different people in,” Mr Shiner said.
The new stage sits among the Longwood Recreation Reserve.
Photo by
Steve Tobin
