WITH another obstacle overcome, the reality of Hamilton’s youth community getting a central location to gather for socialising and engaging activities appears to be getting closer.

Local, Lee Ann Elmes, was pleased to announce that “after months of working behind the scenes” her committee have with legal help established an incorporation called Hamilton Youth Victoria Inc and, even more importantly, identified a building which will suit their needs.

“We searched high and low around town and spoke to different people and finally found the perfect fit,” she said.

“The owners of the building are so in favour of helping Hamilton reach out to the youth community. So, when I asked for a building they own, they were so happy to help.

“So I can say officially that we are going to have a Youth Centre in 42 Thompson Street.”

Lee Ann’s motivations for the project stem in part from the tragedy of her son Joshua’s death in a car accident seven months ago at Bochara, 10 kilometres north-west of Hamilton.

In the early hours of May 27, the 15-year-old Year 10 Monivae College student was in a speeding car on the Wannon-Nigretta Falls Rd when it lost control and crashed, killing three other people and leaving one survivor in hosptial; Lee Ann was afterwards even more galvanised in a long-standing desire to see youth have a place in the CBD to go after hours.

At the time she said, “I want something good to come of it” with grief stirring her into action, and she hoped many in the region would come on board to assist.

“What I am asking for is help from the community of Hamilton,” Lee Ann said.

The building may indeed need the help too - the history goes back a very long time, with The Spectator reporting nearly 150 years ago how its construction by the Cobb & Co Western Stage Coach company visibly “claims attention” in the town.

The Saturday, May 9, 1874 edition reported, “When the establishment is in full swing we learn that it will give constant employment to some 40 people of different trades and callings so that it will be a decided acquisition to the town.”

On July 14, 2007, The Spectator reported on the demolition of the former Barry Francis store at the site, as it “revealed another structure behind it” - the original building - and on June 24, 2010, Southern Grampians Shire councillors, Bruach Colliton and Katrina Rainsford, were published in a photo standing in front of the building as part of a story on, ironically, getting a local purpose-outfitted youth centre somewhere in Hamilton.

“We certainly need that facility,” Cr Colliton said at the time.

Now in December 2023, walking around the building with Lee Ann, she began excitedly telling of some of the possibilities she hoped could be realised inside.

“We’re going to have - hopefully, all going well - a fully-fledged industrial-sized kitchen in there, a cafe, pool tables, air hockey tables, game consoles, music recording studios, (and) study area for the kids to study when they’re not at school,” she said.

She said she hoped to hold a forum for school and community groups in late January or early February as “we just want the community to know what we’re doing”.

“It’s a real big forum and a lady who’s done them a few times before is helping me out with that,” Lee Ann said.

She also wanted to recognise a long list of businesses, organisations and people who had helped so far.

“I want to say thank you so much to those who have already helped so much,” Lee Ann said.

“Coles, Bunnings, Harvey Norman, Flooring Xtra, Grace Fellowship, Dan Tehan, Southern Grampians Life Centre, (other) individuals … you know who you are, this community is so amazing.

“(Also) George Street Primary (School) for your support and confidence in me and this venture, to my family and friends for believing in this venture and finally to my Heavenly Father who gave me the commission to do this.”