By Nigel Edwards
The Save Our Mechanics Institute (SOMI) recently announced a campaign to prevent further delays in the restoration of Williamstown’s Mechanics Institute.
Many of Williamstown’s streets are named after local residents who, in 1860, worked tirelessly to build The Mechanics Institute, which became the centre of community events for over 150 years. In 2016, the landmark building required repairs – restumping and underpinning – but the site repairs were never fully completed, and it has remained closed for a decade.
SOMI was formed because we could no longer sit back and wonder what would happen. We could not allow this site to decay or be sold. For many in our community, this place is very special. For me personally ‘The Mechanics’ was the home of the Williamstown Light Opera Company which has been producing shows since the early 1950s.
When it was operational, the Mechanics Institute thrived, hosting events for the Williamstown Literary Festival and the Williamstown Film Society, and serving as the home of the Williamstown Musical Theatre Company and the local Historical Society. Many community groups want to return to the site.
Additionally, Williamstown Primary School principal Mat Montebello says: “We are keen to use the site as our school shares a direct and meaningful historical connection with the Mechanics Institute. During the construction of our iconic bluestone school building in the 1870s, the school community was temporarily housed within the Mechanics Institute. In this sense, the Institute isn’t just part of Williamstown’s civic story — it’s part of our school’s origin story. This historic link strengthens our belief that re-establishing the Institute is both important and appropriate.”
Although the Institute was occupied until 2016, numerous consultant reports and community working groups have been held to determine how the building should be utilised once it is restored. First and foremost, SOMI seeks to save the building for community use.
Ideally, the Historical Society will be returned to its original location, which will allow the Council to halt renting office and storage space for our valuable historical assets. SOMI’s view is simple – “build it, and they will come, or in reality, they will return.”
Since launching SOMI, Councillors Lisa Bentley and Michael Disbrey have been strong supporters. They have facilitated productive discussions with Hobsons Bay City Council’s new CEO, Mr. Phu Nguyen, and Mr. Hector Gaston (Sustainable Communities).
Collectively, we recognise that the Institute needs to be restored. “Council will review a consultant’s report due to be tabled in May to understand how best to proceed,” says Hector Gaston.
The Cottage south of the site clearly needs restoration, and while the Institute appears to be reasonably intact on the outside, significant expenses will be necessary for new amenities and re-establishing the floor. To help with budget constraints, SOMI and the Altona Men’s Shed, which have renovated other sites, could lower labour costs, especially if phased restoration – as recommended to the Council in 2015 – is adopted.
To date, SOMI has received overwhelming community support, highlighting the significance of this site. Fellow SOMI member Jodie Rollinson says, “It is vital people show their support by searching on Facebook for Save our Mechanics Institute and click Follow Us. We will post milestone updates to keep everyone informed on our progress to ensure this important local landmark re-establishes itself within the social fabric of Williamstown.”
Nigel Edwards represents Save Our Mechanics Institute
