Community
3 December, 2025
Timboon fights for playground
THE Timboon community are still rallying to save the Masonic Park playground despite notice given by council they have so far been unable to reach an agreement with Freemasons Victoria.
At last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, councillors explained Freemasons Victoria offered the potential gifting of a small portion of the land where the playground resides, but it was not large enough to merit a play space.
Timboon resident Linda Pender raised a petition which reached 460 signatures urging council to purchase the land from Freemasons Victoria in order to save the playground.
“I have spoken up about this small park being sold off for more development because I think it’s important to at least keep a small pocket of land where kids can play and we can preserve a little piece of nature,” she said.
“My family and other neighbours have used this park for as long as we’ve lived here.
“I am sad that the Freemasons couldn’t donate the whole piece of land where the park is situated as the small slice they have offered is practically useless as a park.
“I am aware that the Freemasons have done good raising funds for local projects but I feel they could still donate one block so we could preserve a little green space – I am sure the council would be happy to upkeep this park as they have always done.
“I’m still hoping there is a chance to do something as I’ve very passionate about this park and I want to save it.”
Multiple residents expressed their concerns over the potential loss of the playground, including Sheree Johnstone who has been living on the street where the playground resides for almost 20 years.
“It will be a tragic loss for people up this side of town,” she said.
“Walking down the street to the other park – it’s a bit of a hike and kids on this side of town can get to this park easily.
“It’s a convenient place – it’s safe and easy.
“We will continue to fight and advocate the use of the park and hopefully we have some extra support and help and we will achieve a little bit more.”
Resident Darin Blain said he hoped further negotiations would bring a better outcome.
“The community appreciates the generosity of the Freemasons in offering to gift an area of land the playground is on,” he said.
“This area doesn’t cover the entirety of the existing playground and the community feels that through further consultation with the Freemasons and shire, a positive outcome is achievable.”
At this month’s meeting, councillors acknowledged the petition presented by Ms Pender and moved a motion noting the proposed gifting of the land and their refusal to accept on the grounds it was too small, as well as their encouragement for Freemasons Victoria to make a financial contribution towards a playground feature at the Timboon township playground site.
Councillor Jamie Vogels said it was unfortunate the loss of community groups in the area also meant the loss of community assets.
“Unfortunately, council doesn’t have a magic money tree and we have got a playground in every town that we support,” he said.
“These other playgrounds were put in as part of community groups and it just shows what happens when you start losing your community groups – when Apex goes and the Lions goes or Freemasons.
“Then you start losing the niceties that they used to bring to the community as well.
“It’s just something that unfortunately council can’t just keep picking up the slack on these things and they disappear.
“Maybe we need to get people to start running Apex, Lions and the Masonic Lodge and volunteering, fundraising and building community parks but it’s very unfortunate that it’s something that council can’t just keep stumping up for.”
Mayor councillor Kate Makin thanked Ms Pender for bringing the petition before council.
“I think it really speaks volumes that 450 people have signed this petition calling for the protection of the playground at Masonic Park,” she said.
“That just really resonates with me and just speaks so much about what the community feels and the town of Timboon feels.
“The playground has served many generations of Timboon children.
“At the moment where it sits it’s safe, it’s central, it’s well-loved and protecting the site would have meaningful lasting gift to the community that has been part of for so many years.
“Instead, the Freemasons have offered a parcel of land that is really too small to operate a functional play space.”
Cr Makin said she was disappointed in the current outcome of the negotiations.
“I acknowledge that the Freemasons are absolutely under no obligation to gift or to subdivide any land to us at all and they’re fully entitled to sell the property as it is because it’s a private sale,” she said.
“But this playground has been in our town for many, many years and I think we just need to have a look at that and they need to acknowledge that.
“This is not just a piece of equipment – it’s where children learn to play, it’s where parents meet, it’s where memories have been built over decades and decades and the community actually sees that it’s theirs because the council has maintained it for years and families have relied on it for generations.
“We have engaged with the Freemasons and will continue to engage with them to advocate for a better outcome and try and make sure that the community wishes are seen through.
“It’s really disappointing what I have to do today – I would like to have a better outcome for the town of Timboon and the community, but at the moment we don’t so we’re going to hopefully go back and have a frank discussion with the Freemasons and try and find a better option coming forward.”
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