Finch Central Rejuvenation

​In concert with Mackay Council, the Finch Hatton Progress Association Inc. is presently undertaking the rehabilitation of our heritage listed railway station. After protracted consultations and sourcing of quotes, has commenced at our heritage listed rail station house!

F i n c h  C e n t r a l  U P D A T E
By Leila Verban

The railway station has long needed some tender love and care, slowly deteriorating, taking with it great memories shared by community members who spent their childhoods in Finch Hatton. The Finch Hatton progress
Association took on the project a year and a half ago, not fully realizing how much it would take to not only restore the building, but transform it into a hub for the community that can be enjoyed by all ages - both local and travellers passing through. We as a community have risen to the challenge! And are already seeing great results.

For those who missed our project sharing day last May; the railway station, now named “Finch Hatton Central” is being restored to its original colours with some groovy upgrades,
which will facilitate the future goings on that we hope to achieve. Maintaining its authentic heritage facade, the FHPA hopes to create a community space run predominantly by volunteers with arts and crafts, local produce and locally supplied refreshments available. This
space will be open for workshops, markets and fairs as well as an information center for local events, businesses and in the event of emergencies, a place where you can go for support. 

Ainslie Merriman is the artist who painted this fine watercolour of the station house in 2004. It hangs in the dining room of the Criterion along with other memorabilia of bygone years in Finch Hatton.

​If you haven’t already seen, the first stages of cleaning and painting the entire building have already begun, giving our community the sense of what we hope to achieve. In the future there will be decking added, gardens restored and final touches to bring the whole project together. Keep an eye on the new Finch Hatton news letter and the Progress Association Facebook pages for further updates, as well as Finch Hatton Central now having its own Facebook page, documenting the journey.

Thank you to all the community members who ​have thus far been involved in bringing this incredible restoration together.