That is the message from Edward River Mayor and former Deniliquin High School student Ashley Hall on the destruction of the school by fire early Saturday morning.
Speaking with the Pastoral Times yesterday as the aftermath continues to ripple across the community, Cr Hall said there is a “very sombre feeling” across the district.
“It’s been 40 years since I was a student at the school, and I only returned for a school tour with Peter Rae a few years back as part of a school reunion,” he said.
“The loss of the library is particularly sad as it is the hub of the school.
“A lot of the school’s history was also held in that library.”
Cr Hall said Edward River Council started contacting necessary agencies, departments and leadership groups to offer their support early Saturday morning.
He said those “puzzle pieces” are still being put together, with the hopes there will be a clear strategic direction to share with the community very soon.
Those discussions were continuing as the Pastoral Times went to print yesterday.
ERC was meeting with the NSW Department of Education’s regional director and NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton from 3pm.
“We’re still working through everything,” Cr Hall said yesterday morning.
“We’ve been communicating with the department’s regional director, and we’ve reached out to all leadership avenues to offer our support.
“(Federal Member for Farrer) Sussan Ley has been in touch, and Helen (Dalton) has already spoken to the minister’s office about throwing some resources in our direction.
“The department is still working around strategies for the short term, and I understand their assets teams are here now (Monday) and need to do their assessments before any further decisions are made.”
The mayor said council will support the department, school community and wider community in any way they can.
This may include providing venues for face-to-face teaching.
“We want to make sure everyone affected has the support they need, and that includes looking after the emotional welfare of staff, students and the community.
“A lot of history has been lost.
“I’ve also been contacted by a lot of people offering their support - former students, regional mayors and event peak bodies.”
Responding to the news that police are treating the fire as suspicious, Cr Hall said “I hope and pray it wasn’t arson, but if it is that those responsible are held to account”.
Mrs Dalton is liaising with the education department and education minister’s office as required, and said every effort will be made to limit further disruption for students.
“Students need to know that the school community will support them, and that their studies will continue uninterrupted,” she said.
“Obviously the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
“We can’t let these things distract our kids.
“I encourage all students to stay focussed on their studies as we fix everything else. Our students are the number one priority in all of this.”
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