Rimstone Cooperative Ltd - a brief history.
Members and friends of the Victorian Speleological Association formed the Rimstone Cooperative Ltd. in 1974.
People have been interested in the caves around Buchan for about 20 years and had stayed at a variety of locations throughout the
area but never with a secure tenure. In 1974, it appeared that the owner of the building that was then being used by cavers for
accommodation, the 'VSA Hut' was about to reclaim the land to erect a new house. Many members of the VSA were prepared
to put money into the purchase of a place to stay, but were unwilling to channel this money through the VSA which at the time
was not a legal entity. As a direct result, Rimstone Cooperative Ltd. was formed to be the legal entity required to support the
endeavour.
Later in the same year, the Cooperative commenced the purchase process of "Homeleigh", a former guesthouse and the original Buchan Pub.
The final payment was made about five years later and funds are now being channelled into the maintenance and major
renovation projects aimed at improving facilities for both Rimstone Cooperative Ltd. members and their guests.
The Rimstone Cooperative is a Community Advancement Society registered under the Victorian Cooperative Act 1958. The
society is run by a board of five directors, elected for two years (in two groups) at the annual general meeting, usually held in
September or October each year.
Location - "Homeleigh" is located in Buchan, about 330km east of Melbourne in the South-East Gippsland region.
It provides a unique hostel-style form of accommodation with all the modern conveniences and
is only a short drive away from the major caving areas.
What to bring - While "Homeleigh" has a fully equipped kitchen and bedrooms sporting double and bunk beds, it is important
to remember to supply a few necessary items of your own; sleeping bag and/or bedding, pillow case, towelling, toiletries
and food.
How to get there - When arriving at Buchan, keep travelling north through the township and across the infamous Buchan River bridge.
Once over the river bridge, "Homeleigh" is the last house on the left. If you go too far, you will end up at Murrindal,
or perhaps eventually at Jindabyne.
Facilities in town - In the small township of Buchan, a few facilities are present including a General Store, an hotel which also serves
meals and a Post Office. (When you visit the pub, tell the hotel staff that you are staying at Homeleigh, for an extra "smile".)
Bookings are absolutely essential - We do not currently have a resident caretaker, so there is often
no one on site and the place is securely locked.
To make a booking for your stay at Homeleigh, contact the bookings officer by copying the following email address into your email program and
sending them an email detailing your request:
Upon making a booking, the Rimstone Booking Officer will reply, and will email to you a Booking Letter.
The email will advise of your successful (or unsuccessful) booking.
The Booking Letter contains some information
regarding what is expected of you and of every other guest (ie. Terms and Conditions) - it is very important reading.
All guests are expected to comply with the terms in the Booking Letter.
Please take time to view Homeleigh's floorplan
and request suitable rooms for your stay in Buchan.
If you would like to get in contact with guests currently residing at Homeleigh, please call 5155 9520.
Note that this number should not be used for bookings, enquiries or outgoing calls while staying at Homeleigh.
Duties for all guests - Homeleigh is run and operated by volunteers, and relies on the guests to help
with the ongoing smooth operation of the facility. Every guest will be allocated a "duty" towards the end of their stay,
which needs to be completed before final departure (eg. vacuum bedrooms, mop out toilets, clean down the kitchen, etc.).
These duties are usually allocated to more than one person, so it is a simple case of pitch in and complete the task quickly.
Payment of monies - It is essential that your accommodation monies are paid promptly.
If there is an MIC on duty (see below), then they will be happy to take your accommodation money.
The Accommodation Sheet needs to be completed. All monies and the Sheet need to be sent in one package
to the Rimstone Treasurer asap after the visit (or the cash can be banked asap - all in one deposit).
It is not acceptable to have multiple Accommodation Sheets, or multiple bank deposits.
Your cooperation to assist our volunteer members with the smooth running of these processes will be greatly appreciated.
MIC - Member In Charge - Often on weekends, and sometimes during the week, there might be a Rimstone Coop member
staying at Homeleigh. This person will be the "Member In Charge" (MIC) and is there to ensure the smooth operation of the facility, and
to promptly collect all accommodation monies from those staying at Homeleigh.
The MIC is not a tour guide. They will be trying to enjoy their own stay in Buchan.
The MIC's duties include being responsible for allocating clean-up tasks to be done at the end of the visit, and
they will allocate a duty to every guest (see above).
If there is no MIC on site, then the facility should be securely locked. So guests cannot simply turn up and expect to be accommodated.
| Address |
Postal |
| Rimstone Cooperative Ltd. |
Rimstone Cooperative Ltd. |
| 15 Gelantipy Rd |
P.O. Box 2543 |
| Buchan. Victoria 3885. |
Mt.Waverley, Victoria, 3149 |
| Australia |
Australia |
