Gannawarra Shire Council, Media Release, 8 December 2025
The Gannawarra’s newest community meeting and digital connectivity space is officially open for business.
More than 100 people gathered at Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library this morning for the official opening of The Glasshouse.
Gannawarra Shire Council’s Mayor Garner Smith officially opened the $3.07 million project during what was the first event held at the facility.
“Thank you to all who took the opportunity to visit The Glasshouse and learn about its various features,” Mayor Smith said.
“The official opening marked the end of a four-year journey, which began in January 2022 when the State Government announced that it would provide $1.5 million from its Living Libraries Infrastructure Program for the project.”
The multipurpose building will enable community groups and other users to host gatherings in a space larger than the municipality’s current senior citizens rooms but smaller than its memorial halls, as well as enable presenters to connect digitally.
The facility also features two digital pods that boast technology capable for attending online meetings to telehealth appointments in private, as well as to produce podcasts or work in private.
“Council identified at the start of this decade the need for improved meeting spaces for our various community groups and areas that could accommodate regionally specific gatherings. Remote learning, Zoom and Teams meetings, and a growing reliance on digital connectivity also highlighted that our communities needed spaces that features state of the art technology,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.
“At the same time, the Gannawarra Library Service recognised that its branches are places for people of all ages to gather, meet, learn and collaborate, highlighting that what people do at the library involves a much broader mix of community activities that is well beyond simply borrowing books.
“These two concepts inspired The Glasshouse, with the completed building connecting to the Gannawarra’s largest library branch. It also features flexible meeting spaces groups can utilise and incorporates technology that can connect people locally and globally.”
The Glasshouse also celebrates the Gannawarra’s indigenous links thanks to the installation of a yarning circle adjacent to the building and the inclusion of indigenous artwork within the building.
“Council worked closely with Aunty Esther Kirby’s family to have some of her renowned works permanently feature in this building, with this partnership resulting in ‘Campsite’ and ‘Bushtucker’, originally commissioned by Council for the Koondrook Retreat, on permanent display in The Glasshouse,” Mr Rollinson said.
“We are thrilled to have them re-produced on a large scale for visitors to The Glasshouse to appreciate and thank Aunty Esther’s family for their efforts in making this possible.”
The official opening enabled residents to tour the building and learn about its features, whilst children in attendance enjoyed a virtual book reading session with the authors of the renowned Australian Bin Chicken series, Kate and Jol Temple.
“Council thanks the State Government for providing funding for this significant project, all tradespeople and Council staff who played a role in The Glasshouse’s construction and development, and those who attended the opening wanting to learn more about this building,” Mayor Smith said.
