The second break-in on the former Sale High School building on Raymond Street in just over a year occurred about one week after the building had transferred management to the state government.
Until Friday, January 16, the building was managed by Dr Cameron ‘Jamie’ Hogan, from Jamie Hogan Advocate and Lobbyist on a temporary basis as an agreement with the Department of Education.
The building, known as the Derek Amos Community Hub, was vacated by Dr Hogan, along with Bug Biltz and Sale Food Support Network, all of whom have moved to a new location on Foster St, with the exception of Bug Blitz.
The only remaining groups at the old building are the Wellington Toy Library and the Sale U3A. Dr Hogan says he’s been keeping an eye on the old building.
Dr Hogan said it no longer made sense to remain a licensee of the building under the cloud of uncertainty given an impending purchase, which would likely lead to the aforementioned groups being forced to leave at short notice.
“We felt that it would be inevitable that council would take over the whole site,” Dr Hogan said.
“So the groups that have taken the opportunity to leave have done so.”
For some time, Wellington Shire Council has been negotiating with the Education Department to purchase this building for redevelopment as part of the council’s Port of Sale Master Plan.
Last year, Wellington Shire Chief Executive, David Morcom confirmed council remains committed to the implementation of the Port of Sale Masterplan.
“Wellington Shire Council is actively discussing the acquisition of the former school site, located at 2 Desailly Street in Sale, with the state government, noting that the property has been identified as surplus to Department of Education requirements,” Mr Morcom told the Gippsland Times last year.
“Native Title exists on the site, and council is working closely with the state government and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) to achieve the opportunities identified in the adopted Port of Sale Masterplan.”
As reported by the Gippsland Times on Tuesday (27/02/24), Victoria Police say officers were told unknown offender/s broke the window at the property sometime between 12.15pm on February 17 and 11am on February 20.
A curtain hanging near the window was set alight before it quickly fell to the ground and self-extinguished.
No one was injured during the incident and the property sustained minor damage. The room was Dr Amos’s former office, and he believed it was the intended target of the alleged perpetrator(s).
“Luckily we weren’t here, and luckily it was only contained to a small amount of damage,” said Michael Davis, employee of Jamie Hogan Advocate and Lobbyist.
“What if it had spread to the rest of the building? What would have gone up? Everything from the Toy Library, or everything from the U3A?”
Fire Rescue Victoria was reached for comment on the fire, but said the area was not covered by them. The CFA said they didn’t attend this incident.
The Department of Education was reached for comment on this incident, but the Gippsland Times understands that the building is now managed by the Department of Transport and Planning.
In January 2023, as reported by the Gippsland Times, detectives began an investigation at the Derek Amos Community Hub, where perpetrators allegedly stole $100 from cash boxes.
Dr Hogan and Mr Davis believe the break-in occurred between 5.30pm on Monday, January 2 and 11am Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Police said this week there was no update on this case.
Dr Hogan told the Gippsland Times last week that because of the two incidents, he felt it was necessary to immediately install security cameras at his and Mr Davis’ homes, as well as inside and outside of their new building on Foster St.
If you have any information regarding the alleged break-in and fire incident at the building, phone the Sale Police on 03 5142 2200.
