Community
19 June, 2026
Reserve stands test of time
WORK is ongoing to ensure the Lake Bookaar Recreation Reserve and Community Hub remains accessible to the community, 33 years after the school was closed and amalgamated with the reserve.
The Bookaar School was built in 1908 when the Education Department of Victoria used six acres of land near untouched crownland further afield.
A group of farming residents then took over the remaining six acres in 1980 to create the reserve, planting the trees which are part of the camping area, carpark and native grasslands found there today.
The school was closed in November 1993, with permission granted in 1994 to reunite the school with the rest of the reserve, to be cared for by the committee of management (formed for the initial six-acre reserve).
Bookaar resident and committee member Joan Mahony said the school was saved by the community rallying together, aided by the Wetland of International Importance recognition of the lake under the Ramsar Convention.
“It was the only one saved out of the four local ones,” she said.
“The motivation is out there to do bigger and better things – there was a great working bee on Saturday, even with the rain, and it was very encouraging to see people put their hands up and come along.
“We’ve got lots of great ideas, but our main thing is getting an all-abilities toilet attached to the school building, so it’ll be more user-friendly for people to hire.”
The years 1994 and 1995 saw the construction of the carpark, shelter and walking tracks which form part of the reserve, as well as the restoration of the school building itself.
Today, the facility is used for community dinners, creative workshops, art exhibitions, monthly gatherings for local artists and is hired out for educational and social events.
Ms Mahony said there was still some work to do to ensure the well-loved reserve remained looking its best.
“The main thing is to get the camping area ship-shape, but one of the key factors is the area where native plants are supposed to be needs to be returned to native grasslands,” she said.
“A lot of the plants are there, but they’re choked by phalaris, so we’re on the list for a conservation burn for next year.
“We’ve been waiting for that to happen for years and years, and it looks like it’s going to happen.
“The local CFA (Country Fire Authority) have got enough to do without trying to burn that as well, and there’s a lot of restrictions, rules and regulations that make it not easy.
“The burn is crucial to get rid of the phalaris and get the plants regenerated.”
Ms Mahony said the committee expressed its gratitude to everyone who took the time to lend a hand over the years – whether they were past or current members of the committee or just residents willing to help out.
“We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the past committee members whose passion, energy, and unwavering commitment preserved this history for us,” she said.
“When you have a look at the Woorndoo Common and the plants in the Woorndoo cemetery, that’s how the Bookaar grasslands should look, and it’s quite achievable – it’s just a matter of willingness to get in there and get it done.
“It all hinges on people joining in and doing a little bit, which seems to be happening and is great.
“Today’s committee proudly carries that torch forward, fuelled by that same grand spirit and a deep sense of community, ensuring Lake Bookaar Reserve and Hub continues to evolve, welcome, and serve for generations to come.”
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