A group of Yandoit locals has banded together to stop the old Uniting Church from being sold, successfully securing a lease until November 2023.
Thanks to the work of these dedicated volunteers, Yandoit Cultural ‘the old church in the bush’, hosts regular musical performances that fill the beautiful redbrick building with music that echoes across the valley.
“This building was built by, funded, and cared for by locals,” said Yandoit Cultural volunteer Suzie Cordel.
“Originally the Methodist Church, it was built in 1875 using clay from the farm next door, brought across by wheelbarrow. The wheel from that barrow is now a feature of the building with beautiful primary-colored stain glass,” Suzie explains. “It still houses the original, locally made pews and there is a beautiful old raked wooden floor which creates the most amazing acoustics.”
This Sunday the historic church will host a benefit concert, raising funds for Ukrainian refugees, featuring performances from Aria award winner Kavisha Mazzella, with an introduction by Ukrainian-born Michael Olijnyk.
“Musicians who perform in the church say it is an absolute pleasure. They hear subtleties they don’t normally hear and their music rises because of it,” said Jessica Bleechmorn, Yandoit Cultural volunteer.
Yandoit Cultural evolved as a sub-committee from the Community Planning Group for Franklinford, Yandoit, and Clydesdale, to try and keep the community asset accessible to the local residents.
“The parish dwindled significantly over the past six years,” said Suzie. “We held a number of fundraising events during that time. The regular events we hold now cover the costs associated with the lease. Past parishioners and the Castlemaine Uniting Church Minister, Sarah Tomilson, have all been very supportive of our endeavors to keep the building for community use.”
Visitors will be treated to real country hospitality at Kavisha Mazzella-Benefit Concert for Ukrainian Refugees at 4pm on Sunday, November 13 at Yandoit Cultural, Uniting Church Road. BYO grog. Entry by donation. For bookings email: ycfcpg@gmail.com or phone/ text Nikki on 0432 232 073.