Angela Crawford
Kyneton Airforce Cadets have found themselves homeless after their long-standing home at Mont Saint Quentin Barracks Drill Hall in Market Street fell into disrepair.
Parents of current cadets of 430 Squadron said the group now had no permanent home in which to run its weekly parade nights and the future of a historic Kyneton landmark might be in jeopardy.
“The drill hall was built in 1903 and is associated with World War I and the famous Australian Light Horse,” Fred Merlo said.
“It has been home to the 430 Squadron for decades.”
Sarah Nicholson said that a few years ago, the squadron was informed renovations would be done and they were to move to a temporary home in the Kyneton Scout Hall for a few months.
“The staff, cadets and their families are extremely grateful to the scouts for their incredible support accommodating them, but we want to see the squadron return to the drill hall permanently,” she said.
“The 430 Squadron has recently increased from 13 to 39 active youth members, as well as adding more staff, and so they are very cramped at the scout hall.”
A Defence spokesperson said the department understood that the cadets and their families were passionate about the organisation and the opportunities it provided as a youth development program.
“To ensure we are providing a safe and suitable facility for our cadets and our cadet volunteers, Defence has been conducting remediation works at the Kyneton Drill Hall including internal and external paint, floor coverings, repairs to the ablutions and some other minor repairs,” the spokesperson said.
“During this remediation work, structural issues were identified that need further essential works, and Defence is analysing the recommended remediation works to bring the Kyneton Drill Hall to Australian Standards.
“The current agreement with Scouts Victoria for use of their facilities has been negotiated until June 30, 2023, and Defence is currently working with the local community and stakeholders to determine a longer term solution.”
The spokesperson said the department remained committed to providing a suitable location for cadets and instructors in the Kyneton region – either within the existing drill hall or alternate premises.
But parents fear moving the squadron to another premises would risk the drill hall being left to rot.
“As a community, we can’t allow this building to be lost or to continue to deteriorate,” Sandra Ayres, a grandparent of a cadet, said.
