Barometric pressure release

The Bert Bolle Barometer saga is finally over after the Denmark Shire voted to allow the creator of the instrument to take back his gift to the community.

Councillors let out a collective sigh of relief when the decision to dismantle and remove the barometer from the Denmark Visitor Centre was made at a meeting on Tuesday following months of negotiations and complaints.

The decision followed a dispute between Mr Bolle and the Denmark Tourism Incorporated board and Denmark Visitor Centre management.

Council also voted to contribute up to $5000 towards the removal of the instrument.

While about $60,000 was originally spent on the visitor centre to accommodate the barometer, shire president Ross Thornton said an additional $5000 was a small price to pay for its removal.

Bert Bolle donated the water barometer to the Denmark community in 2007 and since then it has been on show at the visitor centre in a purpose-built tower.

“For the peace of mind of the CEO and the president of the DTI, I think it’s a small amount to pay,” Mr Thornton said.

“It is also peace of mind for our own CEO, who deals with Mr Bolle probably every third day.”

Cr Alex Syme said he was disappointed with the chain of events that had unfolded and admitted council made a mistake when they accepted the gift.

“I’m really quite angry that this community and this council and other groups like DTI have been basically led up the garden path,” Mr Syme said.

“When the offer was made some years ago, the reaction was like one would normally react – not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

“Clearly this nag should have been looked at rather closely. In fact, we should have had a whole team of vets in.”

Mr Bolle said while he was happy with the decision, the whole situation could have been prevented if the Denmark tourism board had taken him seriously.

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