The refurbished Rotunda in Deniliquin Waring Gardens.
If you have been strolling through the Waring Gardens recently you would have noticed the fencing has gone around the rotunda, and it has been returned to its former glory.
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Works to repair the white ants and water damage started in May last year, and has been subject to many delays.
It was initially expected to be completed last July but delayed, with inclement weather and floods before Christmas delaying works again.
Works have included timber work and roof, renewal of the termite damaged structure under the floor and painting.
The existing pressed tin has been restored and put back in place, and the rotunda can again be used and enjoyed by many more generations to come.
Edward River Council contracted Deniliquin businesses Bennett’s Painting and Decorating and Denbrok Constructions to complete the works.
The band pavilion, as it was originally known, was officially opened in 1913, built by George Perrin and designed by Fred Harrison.
It was originally built to a height of seven feet, with band instrument storage underneath, but after a fire in 1960 was reopened a year later at a height of three feet.
Extensive repair works were last completed in 1991, when the rotunda had deteriorated so much demolition was considered.
Beach recovery continues
Signs of the 2022 floods are slowly starting to disappear, but that does not mean the recovery work is completed.
High flood waters for several months take their toll, and the next box to tick on Edward River Council’s list is to repair the road into Deniliquin’s McLean Beach.
While the beach and the Beach to Beach Walking Trail have been re-opened, the roads into McLeans and the adjacent McLean Beach Caravan Park is still quite rough.
The Edward River Council will be conducting road repairs and resealing from next week.
As such, access will be closed between February 27 until March 3.
Footpath access will be available for the duration of the reconstruction project.
The timing of the work allows for the beach area to be re-opened for the Victorian Labour Day weekend on March 11 and 12, which is always a strong time for tourism.
Golden hour at Willoughby’s
Fleur Connick's partner Zachary Lauritsen walks their dogs Hattie and Billy during 'golden hour' at Willoughby's Beach, Deniliquin.
It’s been just over a week since access to the Murray Valley Regional Park and Willoughby’s Beach in Deniliquin has been re-opened, and locals are taking advantage.
The Guardian journalist Fleur Connick, who is imbedded with the Deniliquin Pastoral Times as part of a rural program, says it may just have to be her new favourite spot in Deni.
“Especially during the final hours of the day, when the light becomes soft and golden,” she said.
“It's been almost four months since I moved to Deni, and for the majority of that time, this place has been closed - along with many of the other beaches, walking trails and national parks - since floodwaters started rising in late October last year.
“I did not know until moving here that this park is part of the largest continuous river red gum forests in the southern hemisphere.
“I love the contrast in this photo of the dark water marks stained across the tree trunks, remnants of the floods, to the dust stirred from passing vehicles, illuminated in the afternoon sun. To me, this place is magic.”
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