Society could become history without home

Karen Hart
TORQUAY Historical Society could fold if it fails to find a permanent home soon, according to its president.
Spencer Leighton said members were “dropping off like flies” because the society was homeless and looked unlikely to find a base.
Last month the society urged State Government to put profits aside and give the town’s former police station back to the community as a home for the group and other community organisations.
State Government plans to sell the former police station.
“I’m afraid the society’s going to fold,” Mr Leighton said.
“We’re losing members because people won’t stay. It’s absolutely tragic.”
“Torquay has a colourful history and it needs a permanent home.
“We had one chap go to Geelong’s society because it’s bigger, permanent and he could do more things.”
Members of the society have to store historical records and artefacts in their homes.
The town’s former police station, in Price Street, became vacant last week when officers officially moved to a new facility on Geelong Road.
State Government plans to sell the disused station.
But Labour MP Michael Crutchfield said the likelihood of State Government handing the Price Street station over to the community was “extraordinarily remote”.
“I agree the society needs a permanent presence in the town and at the very least they immediately need somewhere to store their valuable historic equipment but it would be unlikely the State Government will give the building to the council,” he said.
“The police station isn’t the answer.
“I have written to the council asking them to find a community space for the society.”
Mr Crutchfield cited Torquay Improvement Centre, also in Price Street, as a potential home for the historical society, which has about 20 members.