An overflowing notice board on one wall of the Koyuga Hall is an indication of just how small rural “towns” can play such an important role in the lives of their community members.
I am not sure that Koyuga qualifies as a town, but it is certainly alive and well — as Wednesday’s Australia Day celebrations more than proved.
Campaspe Shire Councillor Leanne Pentreath was a special guest of the Koyuga Hall management, which was probably fitting considering her own family’s key role in the development of another small Campaspe community — Lockington.
She seemed right at home among the 50 odd people who were at the event, even entering the annual yabby race event.
Amanda Souter is among the executive of the Koyuga Hall, which has as its president Jim Hodson — who is typical of the hall’s management committee, proud of his community and committed to doing what he can to see it not only survive — but thrive.
When I asked Jim how long he had lived at Koyuga his reply was straight to the point: “I haven’t moved.”
Sausages, rissoles and the usual array of refreshments associated with a rural community were flowing from the barbecue and hall fridge freely, Mrs Souter explaining the hall’s management committee had some big plans for the future.
“We have about 10 members on the committee and we run it as an incorporated body,” she said.
“We drew up the business plan in 2019 and we’ve achieved quite a lot now, but we are just about to get serious about our next projects.”
Water is a stumbling block for the committee, which has lost its 12 megalitre water allocation — previously the lifeline of the dusty and dry oval which greeted me when I arrived on Wednesday evening.
“The property is still council owned, but we manage it at the moment,” Mrs Souter said.
The location has hosted events by the Echuca and District Kennel Club, which held a two-day event at Koyuga.
“They love it out here, we are in discussions with them about future events,” Ms Souter said.
“We are about to lay some new carpet after we reveived a $5000 grant and we hope to attract horse events out here in the future.”
The community has a strong population, one which is committed to maintaining and building on the facilities it currently has at the hall and oval.
The Koyuga tennis courts are among the facilities planned for an upgrade in the future.
“We had about 35 kids here for Christmas Day. There are 160 on our mailing list, people don’t need to be from Koyuga to be involved, we draw people from Echuca Village, Tongala and other areas,” Mrs Souter said.
For now the Koyuga footy tipping, Koyuga Kraft (which is a twice a month activity), the Landcare group, Thursday evening Yoga, Koyuga Twalking club (about six people walking and talking three times a week) and Koyuga Garden club (once a month, every third Sunday) — among other activities — will keep the community busy.