The districts of Tubbut, Bonang, Delegate River and Goongerah are still reeling from the sudden closure of the Tubbut-Goongerah school campuses that served children from Goongerah to the border.
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"All of a sudden, there were no more children," Deb Foskey, president of Deddick Valley Isolated Community Group (DVICG) said.
"Like many rural communities, we have watched generations of children grow up and leave because there is no employment. Family farms cannot afford to employ labour and small sawmills were swallowed up by woodchipping decades ago.
"Many young people aspire to more than this and seek it in cities and regional towns but would return if the opportunity was here.
"So, while the loss of the school itself is devastating with the teachers' assistants', bus drivers and even cleaning jobs disappearing, the removal of the school buildings and related infrastructure would be an enormous blow.
"We were told by a representative of the Department of Education that the assets would be assessed and possibly removed so the Tubbut community met on Thursday night to consider how they might use the buildings and playground to build an economic future based on our cultural and natural capital.
"Tubbut is situated between two different national parks, the Errinundra and the Snowy River, and we are exploring adapting the school campus to be a place where people can experience our unique environment for short and extended stays.
"The neglected tennis courts can become a camping ground, the supper room a camp kitchen, the hall a gallery and historical repository. The neighbourhood house can expand from its small office into a community centre with room for many activities and adult learning and internet medical consultations can be provided using the best internet connection in the region.
"Environmental education and guided walks in partnership with ParksVic staff and swimming lessons for school camps at the river are also a possibility," Ms Foskey said.
"We have been boosted by enthusiastic support from ex-pupils and visitors to the area who want to help us make it happen.
"Boosted by the unity of the community and support from outside the area, Tubbut Neighbourhood House will pull our plans together to make our case to the Department of Education, who might see that our community's gain may be more cost-effective than the expensive, hazardous removal of the school assets."
