An 89-year-old Castlemaine resident has purchased the Guildford General Store to ensure its continued operation for the community.
The property went to auction last Saturday with a reserve price of $750,000 and was purchased by the sole bidder, Norma Hancock, for $710,000.
Owners of the Guildford Post Office stepped in to fill the void since the store closed down in March, supplying daily necessities to residents, while the community rallied to form a cooperative with the intent of purchasing and running the store.
Norma said that while the cooperative was keen to step in, it was difficult to achieve incorporation and raise the funds in time, so she decided to put in a bid.
“The co-op has been so lovely and supportive of me and this way they can be involved without owning the place,” she said.
A woman with an adventurous spirit, Norma has travelled the world as a ballerina, raised children while running an orchard, and has owned and operated various businesses over the years.
In 1997, Norma moved to Castlemaine to retire, but kept her toe in the world of ballet – dancing in the Nutcracker for the Australian Ballet in 2000 and appearing on Dancing With the Stars with Todd McKenney’s Golden Girls.
“Retirement probably bothered me more than not being retired. I mean, really, what do you do? Just sit about?” Norma said.
“I’m looking forward to being closer to my daughter and grandson who run Hilltop Kennels and Cattery and am looking forward to becoming part of the Guildford community.”
Settlement on the store is scheduled to take place in mid-November, and Norma is busily preparing her Castlemaine property to sell.
“There are still a lot of hurdles to jump through before I can open the store but I’m really looking forward to working with the community to make it whatever they need it to be.”
