Meander School awaits new challenge

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][vc_custom_heading text="Meander School awaits new challenge" font_container="tag:h2|font_size:40|text_align:left" google_fonts="font_family:Abril%20Fatface%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][vc_column_text]September 2015 | Marguerite McNeill

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WHILE THE former Meander Primary School site remains empty it has captured the attention of a number of groups with a varied range of proposals for its future use.

In recent weeks the issue gained momentum and the Meander Valley Council requested Government to stop the sale process while it called a special meeting to learn more about a unique proposal from a group called Teen Challenge.

A global organisation, Teen Challenge has the aim of setting up a “Home of Hope” at Meander as a special centre for women and children whose lives have been disrupted by family violence and/or other issues.

The aim is to provide a central base where those in need can undergo rehabilitation programmes to get their lives back into order and eventually settle back into society.

The proposal was orchestrated by the Western Australian branch of the organisation, where such a centre is already in existence.

Teen Challenge is affiliated with the Anglican Church and, if successful in its bid to acquire the old school, the Meander-based programme would be under the guidance of respected members Peter and Tanya Ferrall who would live on site.

The couple said that the Meander site would be perfect as a base for Teen Challenge that would bring the programme to Tasmania in its entirety.

“We are keen to speak to people on the ground, Mr Ferrall said.

Mrs Ferrall was also very enthusiastic saying that the rural aspect of the site was perfect for their needs.

“We don’t want to change the outside image, only the inside.”

Other proposed uses for the Meander site include a rural education centre and a drug rehabilitation centre.

Meander Valley General Manager, Greg Preece, said Council would consider all proposals on merit and economic benefit to community.