By Kath Gannaway
A crowd-funding campaign is part of a promising community effort to save the unique home of Boinga Bob Prudhoe in Warburton.
The house in Highfield Road is hailed as an iconic example of ‘Outsider Art’ but fails to comply with a number of planning and structural requirements of Yarra Ranges Council.
Launching the ‘Go-Fund-Me’ campaign on social media, Warburton woman Claire Bamford called on the local community and others who appreciate the unique contribution of Bob and of his art-house, to help.
She said Bob and his home were getting on, and Bob was unable to do the necessary work alone, either physically or financially.
Bob recently survived a heart attack in Cambodia, and having undergone major surgery was fighting on.
“His home, however, after decades of wet Warburton weather, is starting to deteriorate significantly,” Ms Bamford wrote.
Yarra Ranges Council has made a structural assessment of the property, detailed in almost 150 pages, setting out the work that needs to be done.
The community has rallied, and local Paul Mac has taken on the role of project manager and Ms Bamford the role of treasurer to assist with raising the funds needed to see the project through.
“This massive undertaking will not be successful without the support of the local community,” Ms Bamford wrote in a call out for volunteers to assist with the work and for donations to the campaign.
She said funds raised would be spent on temporary fencing, a registered builder, drawing up plans for the deck rebuild and sub-framing, council permits, skip hire and building materials.
Their first mini-goal of $900 will see temporary fencing go up this week.
A recent working bee sorted out an issue with the brick chimney and there are plans for more working bees, details of which will be announced on the group’s Facebook page ‘Save Boinga Bob’s House Restoration Crowdfunding Campaign.
The campaign has so far raised $1384 of the $3000 goal. To donate online go to
www.gofundme.com/boinga-bobs-house-restoration or donate at any branch of Bendigo Bank to BSB 633-000 account number 1608 25014.
