By Lia Bichel and Lilly O’Gorman
“Our spirits won’t be broken at Timbarra. We won’t let it beat us – it will only make us stronger.”
– school council president Sue Wren
A FIRE destroyed their new basketball stadium last week, but the Timbarra P-9 College community won’t let it destroy their spirits.
A blaze ripped through the new Timbarra P-9 College stadium about 2am on 3 June, a week before it was due to open.
Principal Jan Adamson said it was a devastating blow to students, teachers and the community, but said they would not let the disaster defeat them.
“The students are understandably upset. But one of our key values at the school is resilience and we will bounce back from this, bigger and better than before,” Ms Adamson said.
School council president Sue Wren agreed.
“Our spirits won’t be broken at Timbarra. We won’t let it beat us – it will only make us stronger,” she said.
“The stadium was within a fingertip of being open. We could see it, touch it, but couldn’t use it. But all good things are worth waiting for.”
Oatlanders Outlaws Basketball Club former president Peter Rymer fought for the stadium along with Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan for almost 10 years. He said there were more than 50 teams who travelled to various places including Endeavour Hills and Dandenong to play basketball and they were looking forward to having a common ground in the community to train.
Detective Acting Sergeant Paul Stow from Casey CIU said police were confident they would catch the culprits.
“The resident who smelled the smoke (and called the police) heard youths in the area at the same time. There are signs inside the building that someone has been there overnight. There is graffiti and other such writings on the wall and that is an avenue that we are investigating at this stage,” Act Sgt Stow said.
“It is frustrating because if this was deliberately lit, (the people who lit the fire) don’t understand it has a greater affect on the community. It has a wide-ranging affect on not just the school but the local community as well.”
Police said the building, worth $2.7 million, could possibly require a complete rebuild.
Anyone with information about the fire is urged to contact Detective Senior Constable Adam Ferguson at Casey CIU on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
