It was appropriate really – because apart from referring to God, it also drew attention to the roof, which is the main thing that funding has been allocated for to be fixed up so far. 

And fixing the building needs. Indeed, as the entourage of many climbed up onto a balcony to inspect the glass roof it became apparent how old the building is.

That said – it has great potential and great history. It is a heritage jewel, not just for Goulburn, but also the wider region.

The Con or “The Music Place” as it has been dubbed is a work in progress. So the song the choir sang was also appropriate in that wider sense – the community will raise this place up now. 

In handing back the building, citizens will now have the chance to “get on with all the things we want to see happen here,” as Pru Goward said in her speech. 

In this instance, Ms Goward needs congratulating for her hard work that has gone on behind the scenes (and is still going on) to make this transition happen. 

It was an inspired move by then councillor Bob Kirk in 2015 to defer the sale of the council’s effluent irrigation farm.

He called for further investigation of constraints and opportunities, unconvinced that the council couldn’t draw more benefit from the 1260 acres.

Two years on, there are at least five options on the drawing board. They include sport, eco-tourism and residential development.

It may be a little far out for a sporting facility but there’s an exciting opportunity to forge links with universities and schools on an environmental education centre.

Like the Goulburn wetlands, the area is already alive with flora and fauna and can consolidate our growing reputation in this field.

Likewise, an area set aside for a cemetery keeps an eye on the future.

The land has attracted healthy private interest too from local companies wanting to develop agriculture and an outside party proposing horticulture.

Alongside residential development, the property can inject a financial windfall, at the same time benefiting the community.