Sign of the times
THE remaining Koonwarra swan sign has been relocated into the township, after its partner went missing late last year.
The iconic black swan sign welcoming visitors to Koonwarra from the Leongatha direction is yet to be located and is presumed stolen.
Koonwarra locals Col Stockdale, Ken Caithness and Harry Forrester decided to get the missing sign replaced, but were unsuccessful due to VicRoads requirements.
Erected around 12 years ago, the signs were funded by sales of the book Koonwarra my home, 1878 – 2000 written by the late Fred Holt, a long term Koonwarra resident.
Mr Stockdale said the remaining sign from the Meeniyan entrance was relocated to within the township.
Mr Stockdale said a graphic designer from Cowes has redeveloped the original swan design.
Mrs Holt was pleased the remaining sign now has a permanent home within the town.
“It is in a good position, right in the town. I am very pleased with all of the efforts to get it there,” she said.
“Koonwarra meant such a lot to Fred because his parents were the first settlers in Koonwarra. It was always very much home to him.
“It will be protected in the township. Col, Ken and Harry have done a wonderful job.”
VicRoads regional director Scott Lawrence said VicRoads provided feedback to the group and council representatives regarding the proposal to reinstate the missing Koonwarra sign.
“The old sign did not meet standards for road safety purposes, because of its size, picture image and location close to the road in a high speed zone,” he said.
“VicRoads has provided a number of options for the replacement of the Koonwarra town entrance sign.
“These include incorporating the original swan imaging into a new sign of an appropriate size (no more than three square metres) and location.
“Alternatively the community group could work with council to recreate the original sign and place it in another safe location within the township, away from the road, which would be in addition to the existing council ‘welcome to township’ signs.”
New home: from left, Ken Caithness, Col Stockdale and Harry Forrester have worked together to find a new home for Koonwarra’s iconic sign.
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