The very unique accommodation and function centre was officially opened yesterday by the NSW Tourism Director Lyndel Gray. The project is the brain child of Ted and Betty Wilson who have spent several years developing the site. Ted is what you could only describe as incredibly enthusiastic, not many people would think to move the railway station from Mandurama to Neville and convert it and several railway carriages into accommodation. It really is a living working museum saturated with bits and pieces of yesteryear. The newest addition to Neville siding is the Goods shed that has been renovated with carriages and pre loved railway memorabilia, it is absolutely breathtaking inside.
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The opening was also marked by a time capsule planting with works and documents celebrating and depicting the Neville area. Neville Public School students contributed individual works imagining exactly what Neville will be like in 50 years time when the capsule is due to be exhumed.
History of the site !
In 1979 fire destroyed the old house en situ three days before Neville celebrated its 150th year. The block located opposite the Neville Public School was used for grazing for several years until the purchase and relocation of the disused Mandurama Railway Station which is now unit 1.
Shortly after redundant circa 1950 railway goods vans were purchased from Blayney. The bogey wheels were cut off and then transported to Neville, without major dilemmas apart from a few overhead wires needing to be raised to get the vans under. By 1986, all units were on site and renovations were under way. The first occupants moved in early 1989. Further renovating and improvements of the site are still occurring, including tree planting and additions of railway memorabilia.
Ted and Betty Wilson are grateful to the following contractors without whom we would not have been able to complete our vision.
Blayney Concrete - Les and Mary O'Brien, Brian Piggott Plumbing and Brad Henry, Tom Nixon Excavations, Bruce Mendes Roofing and Cladding, Blayney Cranes Nelson Scott, John Hand Landscaping and Gardens, Stephen Vane Concrete, Pee Wee Read alway available, Maurice Dickie everything and anything, Zito Carpet Services, Martin Farr Tiling, Greg Coleman Building, Blayney Design and Graphics, Allan and Peter Edwards Design and Structural Steel, J.D Earthworks drainage and guttering, Blayney Shire Council road works, Quality Building Supplies, Peter O'Bien Carpenter Extraordinaire, TWS Electrical Gary Johnson.
