The next chapter
A landmark of our town since the 1850s. Carefully restored, and ready to begin again.
Since the 1850s
For generations, the old Kyneton Primary School has been a place of learning, formation, memory and community life.
Built from local bluestone in the 1850s, it has watched over our town for more than a century and a half. When its doors closed in 2018, a much-loved place fell quiet. But a story this significant was never going to end there.
A $12 million restoration
Backed by a $12 million Victorian Government investment, the site has been painstakingly restored, ready for a new life of art, creativity and community.
The 1850s bluestone building has been repaired and reinforced. The slate roof and bell tower restored. A new contemporary building added to welcome visitors, and the grounds revitalised with more than 3,000 new plants. Phase one is now complete.
Restored by the Victorian Government through Development Victoria, with Working Heritage, Creative Victoria, and builder McCorkell Constructions.
The next chapter
Social Foundry has been entrusted to help bring this landmark to life, in partnership with ValueLab/Impact Neighbourhoods and Creative Victoria.
After ten years of building belonging through our café, we have been given the opportunity to help steward the site's future. Our hope is to grow a living community precinct. A place that honours its past, and opens its doors to everyone.
The early vision
A place where people gather over food and conversation, local enterprise is supported, creativity and culture are celebrated, young people can learn and participate, community groups can connect, and the history and future of the region can be held with care.
Who's involved
A local social enterprise and registered charity, bringing ten years of proven, commercially sustainable community impact and real operational capability.
Expertise in precinct thinking, civic renewal, long-term asset models, and helping underutilised places become active, sustainable and valuable for community over time.
The Victorian Government body supporting creative industries, cultural experiences and the creative economy, connecting the site with broader cultural opportunities.
How we'll do this
We are not announcing a finished plan, and nor should we. A place this significant should be shaped through listening, consultation, testing and responsible planning.
We are committed to honouring the site's past, respecting and telling the story of its Indigenous heritage, serving the present, and helping imagine what Kyneton and the Macedon Ranges can become. Some people will feel excited. Others may have questions or concerns. Both responses matter.
This is a significant space, and it deserves a thoughtful journey. We do not pretend to have every answer yet. Our hope is to listen well, consult carefully, and shape a future that honours its past and serves the present.
Paul Dettmann, Co-founder, Social FoundryYou're invited
Subject to timing and access, we hope to host a community open day during the Kyneton Daffodil Festival, so locals can see the site, hear the early thinking, ask questions, and help shape what comes next.
This is not a finished answer. It is an invitation to imagine, together, how a significant local place can be renewed for community, creativity, learning, enterprise, hospitality, culture and belonging.
You might have questions
Social Foundry, in partnership with ValueLab/Impact Neighbourhoods and with the involvement of Creative Victoria, is being given the opportunity to help explore the future of the old Kyneton Primary School site. This is the beginning of a next-stage process, not the announcement of a fully finalised plan.
Yes, in collaboration with a consortium. The formal details will be confirmed through the State Government announcement. Social Foundry and ValueLab/Impact Neighbourhoods have worked through an early consultation and planning process, and Social Foundry is preparing to help steward the next stage of the site's future.
Social Foundry is a local organisation, social enterprise and not-for-profit with proven experience in creating commercially sustainable models that deliver community impact. The existing café is already a working model of hospitality, training, employment pathways, belonging and community development. This site needs vision, but it also needs operational capability.
ValueLab/Impact Neighbourhoods brings expertise in precinct thinking, civic renewal, long-term asset models, and helping underutilised places become active, sustainable and valuable for community over time.
Creative Victoria is the Victorian Government body that supports creative industries, cultural experiences and the creative economy. Their involvement helps connect the future of the site with broader cultural, creative and community opportunities.
No. There is early thinking and a developing vision, but not a finished plan. That is intentional. A place this important should be shaped through listening, consultation, testing and responsible planning.
Because sharing too much too early can create confusion, false expectations or unnecessary concern. We want to be transparent, but also responsible. The next stage is about sharing information in the right order, once access, timelines, responsibilities and consultation pathways are clearer.
Yes. Community consultation is central to the next stage. We want to hear from local residents, neighbours, community groups, businesses, artists, young people, families, service providers and others who care about the future of the site.
The process may include open days, listening sessions, meetings with community groups, conversations with local businesses, engagement with neighbours, targeted discussions around specific uses, and opportunities to provide feedback and ideas.
Subject to timing, access and approvals, we hope to host an open day during the Kyneton Daffodil Festival. This would allow locals to see the site, hear the early thinking, ask questions and contribute to the next stage.
That is part of the vision, but it will need to be planned properly. Many groups will understandably want access. The challenge will be creating a fair, practical and sustainable model that works for the site, the community and the long-term operating costs.
Some uses may be community-supported, subsidised or partnership-based, but the site will need a sustainable operating model. Old buildings require maintenance, cleaning, staffing, insurance, compliance, security and ongoing care. A serious community vision still needs a serious financial model.
That is a fair question. Social Foundry's model is not commerce instead of community. It is commerce in service of community. That is why we are a social enterprise, and also a registered charitable not-for-profit. Sustainable income helps make long-term social impact possible.
The intention is to strengthen the local ecosystem, not weaken it. A well-planned site could bring more visitors to Kyneton, support local makers, create opportunities for small businesses, and increase local activity. Local businesses should be part of the consultation, especially around hospitality, retail, events and tourism.
Potential uses may include hospitality, co-working, training, community programs, creative spaces, cultural storytelling, local history, exhibitions, events, maker and retail opportunities, social enterprise activity, youth engagement, tourism experiences, and spaces for rest, reflection and belonging.
With care, respect and proper consultation. Conversations have already begun regarding Indigenous storytelling, cultural interpretation and tourism experiences, and will continue with appropriate Indigenous voices, Elders, artists, knowledge holders and cultural guidance.
These are important practical issues and will need to be worked through carefully. Our town is easy to access, and parking anywhere in town gives options to walk our local area.
The bluestone buildings have been beautifully restored, and much of the funding was required to make them safe and functional. The aim is to honour the significance and character of the site. The practical details will depend on building condition, compliance, safety, heritage considerations, access requirements and available resources. Renewal must be both respectful and realistic.
We understand people may have mixed views. A site this significant will naturally create strong feelings. Some people will be excited. Others will have questions or concerns. Our commitment is to listen respectfully, communicate clearly and build trust through the process. We are here for the benefit of our community and town, and have been for the past ten years.
The next step is the formal announcement, followed by a staged process of communication, community consultation, site access planning, partner engagement and operational modelling. The aim is to move carefully. This is about stewarding a significant local place well, for our whole community to flourish.
Be part of the conversation
For official enquiries, or to register your interest in the community consultation, please contact the General Manager at Social Foundry.
Further details will be shared once the formal announcement has been made.
