Council vs Community? Differing Visions for the Snowy River Hostel- Interview With Cheryl Mould

What happens when a community builds something with love, fundraising, and decades of care — and then loses control of its future?

In this extended conversation from Berridale, we hear three distinct perspectives on the future of the Snowy River Hostel:

from Mayor Chris Hanna,
from Beverly a former staff member,
and most powerfully, from Cheryl Mould, Chair of the Snowy River Hostel community steering committee.

Cheryl’s story is not one of politics, but persistence. She traces how a facility built by the people of Berridale — brick by brick, donation by donation — came to be closed, leaving elderly residents displaced and families heartbroken. She outlines an 18-month process marked by delays, halted expressions of interest, abandoned grant opportunities, and growing fears that the land itself may eventually be sold.

While Council maintains it is now giving the community time to develop a plan, Cheryl challenges that narrative — describing a process where viable proposals were developed, consultants paid, and yet decisions stalled or overturned without explanation. She raises serious concerns about transparency, respect for donors and residents, and whether the site will truly remain a community asset.

Alongside Cheryl, long-time staff member Beverly speaks emotionally about the human cost of closure — elderly residents moved late in life, some passing away soon after, and promises made to families that were not kept.

At its heart, this is not just a debate about buildings or budgets.
It is about who gets to decide the future of essential community assets,
how regional aged care is valued,
and whether small towns are allowed to age with dignity.

Cheryl’s vision is clear: remove the facility from bureaucratic paralysis, place it into a not-for-profit trust, upgrade it, and reopen it quickly — so it once again serves the people who built it.

This interview captures a community at a crossroads — and a question that still remains unanswered:

Will the Snowy River Hostel remain a living part of Berridale’s future, or become another cautionary tale of delay, divestment, and loss?

🎧 Watch / listen to the full interview to hear Cheryl’s story in her own words and understand why this issue continues to matter deeply across the Snowy Monaro region.

Sincere thanks to Cheryl Mould for bravely and generously sharing her perspective. Speaking openly about issues that affect our community — especially when they’re complex, emotional, or long-running — takes real courage. Cheryl’s willingness to put her thoughts on the record helps ensure these conversations stay grounded in lived experience, not just process or policy. If others in the community have views, experiences, or ideas to share, we encourage you to reach out — respectful, honest voices are how communities move forward together.

Thank you to Beverly for speaking from the heart and sharing her lived experience. Hearing directly from someone who worked inside the Snowy River Hostel and witnessed its impact first-hand reminds us that these decisions are not abstract — they affect real people, families, and lives. Beverly’s willingness to speak honestly about what she saw helps ensure the human consequences of these decisions are not forgotten.

Credit to Mayor Chris Hanna for taking the time to speak with us and put his perspective on the record. Open conversations — especially when views differ — are essential to transparency and to building understanding across the community.