By Andrew Paloczi
TYING in with Koonwarra’s next market, there’s a chance to learn about the significant Koonwarra Fossil Bed and what was discovered there, with Palaeontologist Mike Cleeland running a couple of sessions on the morning of Saturday, November 1, at Koonwarra Hall.
Leongatha Rotary Club has won strong support for plans to construct a fossil-themed display shelter alongside Koonwarra’s public toilets and the Great Southern Rail Trail, and visible from the South Gippsland Highway.
The club has partnered with Melbourne Museum and Hulls Engineering, with expectations the shelter will appeal to rail trail users, travellers and locals.
The shelter project has been almost five years in the making, intended to celebrate Rotary’s centenary in Australia and 70 years in Leongatha.
Brian Paynter, the managing director of the Victorian Livestock Exchange, located a short distance from the intended shelter site, was delighted to lend VLE’s support to the cause through a contribution of $25,000 for the creation of the display.
Leongatha Rotary Club’s Lindsay Moore explained that the display is being done professionally, certain it has the potential to become a significant tourist attraction.
“We haven’t got dinosaurs; we’ve got the other end of the scale,” he said, saying fossils of plants, insects and vertebrates were discovered locally, having been preserved at the bottom of a freshwater lake in fine silt.
The Koonwarra Fossil Bed was discovered during highway construction in 1962.
Despite the significance of the fossils found there, the discovery isn’t widely known, helping explain the importance of the shelter project.
A giant flea named Tarwinia, once native to Koonwarra, is one of the well-preserved creatures, a caricature of the species attracting attention and Lindsay recently called on to chat about the subject on ABC Gippsland.
The overall shelter project is budgeted at $200,000, with $50,000 towards its construction provided by a State Government Tiny Towns Grant.
Those attending one of Mike’s presentations on November 1, at 9.30am or 11am, will learn about the significance of the Koonwarra Fossil beds and why the Rotary Club is passionate about building a display to educate and excite visitors to the Koonwarra village.
Brian spoke of VLE being approached by members of Leongatha Rotary Club for assistance with the shelter project, remarking Rotary in general is a key organisation, and clearly impressed by the work of the Leongatha branch.
He said the VLE was very happy to support Rotary in its initiative for such an important community project, feeling that being one of the major businesses in a key local industry, its support would encourage others to contribute to the cause.
Leongatha Rotary Club president Andrew Debenham expressed excitement at expectations the shelter plans will come to fruition in 2026.
Those at the club are highly grateful to Brian and the VLE for the key sponsorship of the project and to the State Government for its grant assistance.
All other contributors are also much appreciated, with the chance to help realise the initiative by donating or through purchasing a paver for $100 featuring your name or that of your business, which will be used in the construction of a pathway leading to the shelter.
Visit Leongatharotary.org.au/koonwarra-shelter to learn more and to contribute to the project.