Old Gippstown gets $50,000 cash injection to save heritage buildings
The money will go to preserving the historical village, which attracts 7,000 visitors annually, hosts community events and runs educational programs for local schools.
Jacob Wallace
January 12, 2026
The Old Gippstown Heritage Park is heralded as one of the number one things to see in Moe, but its 23 heritage-listed buildings have been waiting five years for council funding to keep them standing.
Latrobe City Council has now backed a support package to repair several of the park's historic structures.
What happened: In December, Latrobe City Council unanimously voted to allocate $50,000 to Old Gippstown Heritage Park – its first council funding since 2018 – to help preserve the many heritage-listed buildings that have been moved to the park over the years.
What is Old Gippstown?
The heritage-park, located between Lloyd Street and Princes Freeway in Moe, is a collection of authentic buildings from the 1840s through to the 1930s spanning three hectares.
The first building to be moved to Old Gippstown was a two-storey prefabricated North Melbourne house called “Loren”, built in 1853 for Scottish poet and novelist James Hogg.
The building was moved to Old Gippstown in 1968, the park now has 23 heritage-listed buildings that are valued at a total of $26 million.
The timber Narracan General Srote building was relocated to Old Gippstown in 1976.
Who runs the heritage-park? Old Gippstown is located on Crown Land and owned by the Victorian government. The state government appoints a group of volunteers to manage the park for three-year terms.
Fixin’ up the old guard: A report by the Old Gippstown committee detailed urgent maintenance works needed to repair several heritage-listed buildings in the historic park including:
The Holy Trinity Church (built in the 1880s),
The church was deconsecrated in 1968 after a new church was built and moved to Old Gippstown in that year.
Sunny Creek School (built in 1889),
Sunny Creek State School was opened in 1889 and the building was moved to Old Gippstown in 1970.
Narracan Hall (built in 1905)
This hall was built in 1905 to replace an earlier hall in Narracan East, it was moved to Old Gippstown in 1978.
and Solicitor's Office (built in 1922).
Originally built on Lloyd Street, Moe (circa 1922) the building was donated to Old Gippstown in 1969.
Takes cash to save the past: The total value of the works is $83,259 which Latrobe City Council will allocate $50,000 towards. The remaining $33,000 will come from Old Gippstown grants and donations.
The heritage park had previously received $20,000 annually from the council. That funding ceased in 2018 and since then Old Gippstown has relied on community grant funding.
Council backs Old Gippstown
Councillor Adele Pugsley spoke in favour of funding the maintenance, saying the park "is the gateway to our city" and the allocation shows council has "a vested interest in the upkeep".
Councillor Darren Howe said the park is a valuable asset for Latrobe City as it attracts approximately 7,000 visitors annually, hosts community events and private functions, and serves as an educational resource for local schools.
🗣️ “These activities all generate economic benefit through local spending, employment opportunities and investment in the region.”
Councillor Steph Morgan indicated the council would consider further funding allocations in future budgets if required.
