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THE lifeblood of the village was reduced to ash when a fire tore through the Willow Tree Bowling Club earlier this month, but the community is fighting to rebuild.
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Plumes of smoke rose from the 60-year-old building in the afternoon of January 3, sending shock waves through the tight-knit district as they watched fire crews try helplessly to extinguish the blaze that would destroy the iconic building hours later.
The fire claimed priceless memorabilia, and robbed the town of its most-loved place for celebrations and remembrance, which locals described as an irreplaceable thread that held the fabric of Willow Tree together.
Board president Peter Wilkinson said despite the loss, the town was rallying to resurrect the very club that volunteers had built in 1962.
A board meeting on Wednesday night heard an investigation into the cause of the fire remained ongoing, and that the insurance company was working closely with the club to begin construction as soon as possible.
“There have been a lot of tears shed and concern shown in the community because the club is an importance frabric of Willow Tree and the community,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“We’re all hoping we get some sort of financial (assistance) to rebuild as soon as we can. We’re really happy with the response from our insurance company.”
The board is in the process of transferring a temporary liquor and gaming licence from the club to the council-owned Visitor Information Centre to offer a facility to members.
“We’re just hoping there are no objections,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“We’re not doing this for financial gain, but it’s to keep a presence in the community. When you think there’s going to be a long turn-around to get back there, we’re trying to provide some limited facilities for our members.”
Liverpool Plains Shire Council mayor Andrew Hope described the club as the social hub of town, vowing to do all in his power to see it rebuilt.
“We can’t afford to lose something like this in that little village,” Cr Hope said.