Toora bounces back

TOORA has come back from the brink of disappearing in the last few years, with more and more people moving into the area, rather than away.
The supermarket is the latest success story. After unfortunately closing down earlier in the year, it is now operating as Foodworks, owned by Anish and Suchi Singla, who also run the Yarram store.
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, along with South Gippsland Shire Council councillors Jeanette Harding, Andrew McEwen, Mohya Davies and Kieran Kennedy were recently present to mark the occasion.
Mr Ryan said he was thrilled to be in Toora to celebrate the re-opening of the supermarket.
“Looking back five to 10 years ago, Toora was struggling. It has come a long way since then,” he said.
“If the people of a town decide to determine the future of their town, it will succeed. Our small town communities are finished unless they do what Toora has done.”
Cr Harding is very excited things are happening in and around Toora and said the tide has turned for the community.
“We have new owners at the supermarket, new owners at the pub and the Toora Lodge Motel and a new policeman coming soon,” she said.
“All of a sudden, things seem to have happened.”
“The Stanley Street street scaping project is finished and work is being done at the recreation reserve to install lights on the netball court,” Cr Harding said.
“Now the rail trail has come, with the next step being signage to let users of the trail know what facilities and attractions Toora has in store for them.
“The progress association has recently received a grant to purchase some artificial hanging baskets, which will hang from shops with a veranda along Stanley Street.”
Cr Harding said once the weather warms up, the light and power poles along the main street will be transformed by local artist, Sue Gilford.
“Some of the poles already have scenes on them, but over time they have faded so Sue will be repainting them for us. Come late spring, we hope to have it all blossoming,” she said.
One of the next initiatives Cr Harding would like to see in Toora is some form of multicultural festival, featuring food and music.
“We just have got so many nationalities here. Italian, German, Danish, Indian, Mexican, Filipino and Chinese to name a few,” she said.
“Toora really is the epitome of multiculturalism and a dream of mine is to hold a festival of food and music that would act as a welcome for the people who have recently moved to the area.
“I think it would be something a bit different and something that could be developed to be beneficial for the town.”

Progress: Councillor Jeanette Harding is happy to see Toora growing and hopes to see the growth continue well into the future.

Short URL: /?p=8462

Posted by Sarah Vella on Sep 11 2013. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry