The decision was made following the sale of the Old Mywee School at the end of 2023, as there is no further need of a committee to raise funds for maintenance of the building.
The Mywee Community Group was formed in 1993 to purchase the school and retain it for community use, which was achieved by raising all funds without assistance from any government grants, and always maintained by the small committee’s fundraising.
A lot of hard work and much fun was had over many years.
The Old Time Dance held at Yarroweyah Hall was started by the committee, and for 20 years on the second Friday of the month, dancers came from far and near.
The Old Time Dance is still held now, but run by Yarroweyah Hall Committee on a Sunday afternoon, a change due probably to age and less young people doing ‘old time dance’.
But that may change in the future, as the younger generation may find that dancing with a partner can be more fun than solo in a large crowd.
One memorable event held at the Old Mywee School was a day hosted by La Trobe University, Shepparton Campus, when academic and administrative staff from Bundoora, Bendigo and Wodonga all came for a day at Mywee.
Of course, most of them had never heard of Mywee, and all had to have ‘mud maps’ to find their way, which they did and had a great day, entertained by ‘Shepparton Jazz Band’ which played all day on the back of a big hay trailer.
The Vice-Chancellor joked for a long time “about the number of flies at Mywee, but what a great roast spit meal they had”.
It’s unlikely such an event would be held these days.
The Annual Christmas BBQ at Mywee was always well attended and held up until COVID pandemic.
This caused changes for many groups, and along with changes to local farming, families moving and fewer people able to assist (and opportunities to raise funds), the decision to wind up the committee was made following the sale of the Old School in November 2023. The sale was reported in the Numurkah Leader at the time.
The legacy Mywee Community Group leaves is it shows that big things can be achieved by small communities.
A scholarship has been set up and will be managed by Strathmerton Lions Club Inc.
The scholarship will be for a local student to do an undergraduate degree in either teaching or health sciences. This will ensure a connection with education and nursing, which was a passion of one of the foundation members, Jennifer Bennie.
The scholarship will be awarded until all funds from sale of Old School expire.
So ends an era in the history of Mywee.
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