Jeparit's Menzies Square redevelopment is a step closer to completion with members of the Nhill Men's Shed today installing two replica shopfronts.
The scaled-down shopfronts were built by members of the Men's Shed and recreate James Menzies' Store and the Menzies Coffee Palace, both of which formerly stood on the expanded Menzies Square site.
Above - seven members of the Nhill Men's Shed assembling the replica shopfronts at Jeparit's Menzies Square.
Sir Robert Menzies' parents moved to Jeparit in the early 1890s and he was born in their home in 1894, going on to become Australia's longest serving Prime Minister.
Hindmarsh Shire Council took the opportunity to purchase the land next to Menzies Square following a fire which severely damaged the former Café and Newsagency building in May 2012.
Then Hindmarsh Shire Council CEO Tony Doyle said at the time that "The new expanded Menzies Square will aesthetically improve the town centre of Jeparit and help promote the historical and natural attractions of the area."
A barbeque is among the final additions to the Square before the project is complete.
The redevelopment was announced in 2014 with the Menzies Foundation committing $35,000, with the Victorian State Government then announcing further funding of $165,000 for the project.
Additional funding of $10,000 from Federation University and $10,000 from Hindmarsh Shire Council also supported the project. These two organisations also contributed $15,000 of in-kind support.
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