Cranbourne visitors recognise challenges for and potential of Coal Creek

WHILE it was quiet on Sunday, a trio of visitors from Cranbourne were among those exploring the mix of natural beauty and historic exhibits at Coal Creek.

They were enjoying the experience but had just been talking about how the vast tourist attraction can continue to open for free and attract sufficient funding, when the Sentinel-Times stopped them for a chat.

One of the group, Caitlin Haigh, fondly recalls a school excursion to Coal Creek when she was aged about six.

“They gave us a tour and showed us how things were run,” Caitlin said.

A visit to an old-style store to see how shop staff used to attend to their customers was a highlight, including a flying fox like device to transfer your money to a separate room for counting and return with your change.

“It was great fun,” Caitlin said.

That change system still operates in Coal Creek’s recently rejuvenated General Store, continuing to impress children and others.

“They had the train open and we sat in there and ate our lunch,” Caitlin recalled of her school visit to Coal Creek.

Such visits continue during the school year, with many school groups coming, and students getting a taste of an old-world classroom setting, albeit the crack of the cane only comes from striking a desk, not a scolded child.

Andrea Ellis said the trio had been studying some of the equipment in the park and would be delighted if it can be restored to working order to show kids how things used to operate.

“It would be great if they could keep it all open,” Caitlin said, with Andrea describing the park as a beautiful spot.

“I’ve got childhood memories of coming here with my family,” Andrea said.

There’s no doubt Coal Creek holds special importance for many visitors and locals.

However, South Gippsland Shire Council has a challenging task to determine the attraction’s future, with all possible options requiring significant expenditure, prompting the likelihood of community consultation to help decide how that looks.