What do we do with our well?

from Cooroy Rag 15 September 2021 edition

our way

Well, what do we do with it now?

AFTER lifting the lid on the concrete tank in Apex Park to confirm it is not sewerage but a century-old well used by the Butter Factory for 40 years, suggestions on what should be done with it have flooded in.

From creating a tourist attraction to a water station that people can access to fill their water bottles with the “liquid gold”, the community has spoken.

Cooroy Hire Service owner, Max Abrthonot, who has been saying for 20 years the tank is not sewerage but “the best tasting water”, told the Cooroy Rag he even had a man say that he’d like to use it to make beer.

“A bloke came into my shop and asked me to show him where the well is. He said he wants to start a brewery in town and use the water to make beer.”

During its years of operation, the Butter Factory used the water from the well to wash the butter and make ice.

Former Butter Factory worker and Cooroy local, Alan Kenzler, told the Rag that if the water is good enough to make ice, it’s good enough to make beer.

“We had to chlorinate it for our use back in the day, but it is beautiful soft water.”

According to the Wide Bay Co-op. Dairy Association Chairman in 1938, C. M. R. Glover, the water is from springs “principally situated at the bottom of the well”.

And regardless of the suggestions, the outcome is crystal clear: the community wants to see this well recognised for what it is, a piece of Cooroy history.

Cooroy Hire Service owner, Max Abrthonot with a glass of water from the well

Your say:

I find that wonderful discovery [of the old Butter Factory well] amazing. Be nice to think it could be a place for the public to fill up their water bottles! - Leisa Gunton

I hope the people of Cooroy realise that they now own this precious find of top grade pure water and come together to use it wisely.

- Desley Law

It should have an outlet so that people can fill their water bottles and hydrate their dogs.

- Kay Lovegrove-Curran

Maybe turn it into a wishing well and the money goes to local charities. - Barbara Richardson

Definitely turn it into a water supply for the local community. I’ve seen mineral water wells in Kyneton that are free for anyone. Absolutely amazing. - Hayley Maree Brooker

Add some yeast and a few other things and turn it into “Cooroy Well Beer”. - Shawn Justice

A nice big water fountain would be nice and put in nice gardens around it. - Iris Tomlinson Turn it into an old fashioned handle pump to share that beautiful, precious water. - Rachel Millman Liquid gold should be a tourist attraction and free to all, especially when the new playground opens up.

- Deborah Daybell

Turn it into a nice area for people to come. Put a nice drink fountain and park around it. Install a pump and water purifier just in case.

- Neville Jones

Hidden wonderful secret.

- Pamela Lickerman

Make it into a wishing well.

- Lorna Gardini

Perhaps a wishing well! Especially in these times.... lots of wishes to be wished! - Kelly Sweeney

My dad tells me, many many years ago, in dry spells local people use to come into town and fill up containers when their tanks ran dry. Open it up for use.

- Tracy Vecchio

Install an old hand pump for the public to extract water, some pavement around the outside, some after-hours lighting, perhaps some seating and place it on the Cooroy Heritage Trail. A beautiful example of cultural history that will be celebrated for years to come.

- Rebecca Moore

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