The Menzies Square project was announced in 2014, with the redevelopment to be unveiled on December 16. 

Cr Nelson said the new development honoured former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies on the site of his parents’ store and the house where he was born in 1894. 

“It’ll have a huge impact on the town,” she said.

“It’s a lovely area and will give people travelling through an excuse to stop for a cold drink or an ice cream from the supermarket.”

Cr Nelson said increased traffic in the area would boost the town’s economy.

“People need an opportunity to stop,” she said.

“We’ve seen how much the silo trail has improved tourism – anything new that people want to see and are willing to go for an afternoon drive.

“We’d really encourage people to be a tourist in their own backyard and have a look.”

She said the project was a partnership between Hindmarsh Shire, Federation University, the state government and the Menzies Foundation.

Hindmarsh Sire Council contributed $20,761 and $5000 in kind to the project, the Menzies Foundation $35,000, and Federation University gave $10,000 and $10,000 in kind.

A state government Putting Locals First grant provided $165,000. Cr Nelson said council purchased two vacant blocks of land after shops burnt down and expanded a small park area into Menzies Square. 

She said the square housed a barbecue, shaded area and children’s playground.

The square will be home to two chess sets, with busts of political figures taking the place of pieces, as well as replicas of the original Menzies shop created by Nhill Men’s Shed. 

“The gentlemen there did a fantastic job recreating the shops,” Cr Nelson said.

“Now it’s a great little area for children to have creative play.”

Cr Nelson said the square would feature storyboards to explain Sir Robert Menzies’ connection to Jeparit. 

“It’s part of Jeparit’s history and it’s good to capture that and preserve it in some way,” Cr Nelson said.

“It’s a great community area.

“It’s just fantastic.”

The square will open on December 16 at 10am.