Greenup Meeting Place: Couple create community gathering place in the bush

The Southern Downs pair have turned a historical landmark once destined for demolition into a treasured community space for people to gather during times of uncertainty and celebration.

Shelley and Ken Rielly have transformed the Greenup Camp into a place for the community to gather. Photo: Contributed

A Goondiwindi couple determined to save a historical landmark from demolition have repurposed it into a community space to bring people together during challenging times.

Greenup Meeting Place owners Shelley and Ken Rielly saved the historical landmark, formerly known as Camp Greenup and Greenup School, from demolition in October 2019.

Having attended the school more than 60 years ago, the couple were determined to bring the property back to its former glory, but their development plans for the camp were squashed due to Covid.

“It was always a youth camp but because of Covid, schools weren’t allowed to travel and have school camps,” Mrs Rielly said.

Greenup Meeting Place owners Ken and Shelley Rielly saved the historical landmark from demolition in October 2019. Photo: Contributed

With no end in sight to the travel bans and restrictions under Covid, the couple decided to convert the site into a gathering place for the Goondiwindi community and visitors alike.

Mrs Rielly said restoring the forgotten camp had been an ongoing labour of love, with a lot of hard work turning it into a welcoming community gathering place.

“My husband and I are sawmillers which is a dying industry, so we wanted to also leave behind a legacy of what sawmillers produce,” Mrs Rielly said.

The Greenup Meeting Place before being restored. Photo: Contributed

One of the couple’s restorations includes the community hall where people can host functions, weddings, birthdays and events.

“We are central to so many things, and people stay here for the week at the campsite and go to places like Stanthorpe and Texas during the day,” Mrs Rielly said.

“ It is also a great meeting point for families as it reduces their travel times.”

Having lived in the bush their whole life, the couple’s main aim is to showcase the benefits of holidaying in rural Queensland with campsites and dormitory accommodation for visitors.

“We wanted to bring people from the city to the bush and show them how peaceful it is and what great ambience living so remote offers,” Mrs Rielly said.

One of the couple’s restorations includes that of the community hall where people can have functions, weddings, birthdays and events. Photo: Contributed

Greenup Meeting Place is located at 40 Greenup Limevale Road on the southern edge of the Coolmunda Dam.

To draw visitors to the region and show off its natural beauty, the couple are holding an event at Greenup Meeting Place on November 13 and 14 showcasing local artwork and craftsmanship.

All money raised through gold coin donations will go towards the Inglewood Hospital Auxiliary.