A Brief History of Tatura Civic Halls

The year 1880 - Tatura has a large array of businesses but lacks a Public Hall. There are around 30 houses in the township but no Church, Courthouse or Public Structure. Social activities mainly occur in Ross’s or O’Callaghan’s Stores. John Gibb had established a Bakery in1878, and Darby Bros from Rushworth in 1880 had set up a Cordial and Aerated Waters factory. The local manager John Bartlett married Miss Poly Darby and continued the business at the corner of Service and Francis Street opposite the present Lake Bartlett. 

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In March the following year, 1881, the Mechanics’ Hall was opened on land given by Mr Thomas Hogan. That first building is what stands today as our present Mechanic’s Hall, although there have been many modifications and additions. Around 1905 the hall was enlarged and front porch added. There was a Billiard Room, Supper room, Lodge Room, Reading Rooms and Secretary’s Office added over the next decade. The Agriculture Society occupied an office at the front of the building adjacent to the Secretary’s Office where, unfortunately in1897 a fire destroyed these offices and many early records.

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In November 1902, first mention of installing Acetylene Gas lights was made in the Hall Minutes. Dr Park was a constant advocate and offered a donation of 15 pounds to try and expedite the process. Electricity was connected in 1911 supplied from the Tatura Butter Factory.

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A major arm of the Mechanic’s Institute was the operation of a library and reading room. In February 1887 a sum of 300 pounds was raised to build a library and reading room on the west side of the Mechanics’ Hall. At that time they had 700 volumes and in August 1894 over 2000 volumes were available to the 70 subscribers.

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During the 1910 -1920 period, case lots of books were exchanged with the Melbourne Library. The Mechanics’ Institute housed the town’s library from 1972 up to after council amalgamation in 1994.

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The building has been used for many activities including: several Lodges, The Druids, the Rechabites, IOOF & ANA; most of the local Churches, CWA, The Dramatic Society, The Choral Society, The Brass Band, The Horticultural Society, The Agricultural Society, The Association For The Blind, The Traders Association, The Shire of Rodney, The Cinderella Club, The Gymnastics Club, The Cricket Club, The Football Club, The Bowling Club, The Plumpton Coursing Club, The Hospital Auxiliary and the Returned Soldiers Association. It has also been used as a Polling Station, Magistrates court and Win the War Rallies.

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The first meeting of the newly formed Rodney Shire was held in the Mechanic’s Hall on 15th June 1886 where Mr Martin Cussen was elected President.

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The Returned Services League (RSL) had been an integral part of the Mechanic’s Institute. Since the Great War and after the 2nd World War membership had grown in 1946 to 200, and new and larger rooms were provided. 

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The War had scarcely concluded before it was proposed that Tatura should build a War Memorial Hall. Messrs Ralph and David Mactier had hoped for an RSL clubroom to be known as the ‘Anzac Memorial Building’, but Tatura’s need of an adequate larger hall was pressing.  The Mechanics’ Hall was by now much too small for the growing district, and patriotic meeting in recent years had seen it overcrowded on many occasions.  In December 1920 an open air theatre was completed at the rear, but on the opening night inclement weather forced the many patrons into the hall which again found itself with an accommodation problem.  Nevertheless, the open air pictures proved a great success on better nights, and drew large audiences.  

 

The community was most responsive to the appeal for funds for the new memorial hall.   A “Back To Tatura” held during Easter 1923 gave the Memorial Hall appeal a great boost with 400 pound profit.  Over 400 ex residents returned for the occasion and on Saturday 24th March there was a visit of the State Governor, The Earl of Stradbroke.  Tatura has indeed enjoyed many Vice-Regal Visits. One memorable occasion was the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the first members of the Royal Family to see the district. They were visiting Victoria for Melbourne’s Centenary Celebrations in 1934.  

The 400 pound ‘Back To” profit was later added to with ‘Football Teas’ conducted by the ladies raising 300 pounds and the Rodney Shire made a generous donation. A grant from the Victorian Government of 50 pounds was received. In all 2000 pounds in solid cash was accumulated and the balance required to start building– 2,500 pounds was obtained by a bank overdraft.

 

The architect of the Victory Hall was Mr A.S. Eggleston who designed it to be “one of the finest buildings in the Goulburn Valley”. The builder was Mr C. Willoughby. Tender price was 3560 pounds with final cost 5283 pounds.  “The street entrance is between Italian Renaissance columns to the entrance foyer over which is a balcony with wrought iron railings, designed for use in case of civic proclamations”.   

 

On 14th September 1925 the foundation stone was laid by Senator Brigadier-General H.E.(Pompey) Elliot,  He said this hall will be -  “in commemoration of the great victory gained by the nation in the ‘Great War’. The Senator was presented with a silver trowel and later entertained at the Criterion Hotel by the Shire President Cr. R. Pogue and the Shire Councillors.

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The opening of this Victory Hall, as it was now known, was one of the greatest occasions Tatura had seen, with local businesses closing at 4pm. It was performed in March 1926 by the Governor-General, and the ‘Guardian Newspaper’ was exuberant.  “How symbolical of Empire greatness that Lord Stonehaven should visit a remote part of the state and perform such an historic ceremony.  Historical not only by reason of the fact that the name of the hall is associated with a nation’s honour and prestige, by reason of a great and lasting victory, but the fact also that it was the first time a Governor-General of the Commonwealth had ever set foot in this part of the Goulburn Valley”. 

 

A “landing stage” had been arranged in Watson’s paddock at Byrneside.  Many motor cars and vehicles of all descriptions were congregated.  The Governor-General’s colours, red and yellow, were prominently displayed.   From out of the haze at 24 minutes to 5 O’clock, Lord Stonehaven’s aeroplane made its appearance.  With engines throbbing and body vibrating, it circled round and then glided gracefully to earth.  He was very brave remembering it was only in 1903 that the Wright Bros. had first skipped and hopped off the ground.  Lord Stonehaven was received with manifestations of delight all along the route to the Shire Offices, being repeatedly compelled to bow his acknowledgement of the welcome.                  

 

An address was read by the Shire Secretary, and the Councillors then entertained their distinguished visitors to dinner at the Criterion Hotel. 

 

At a few minutes after 8 o’clock the Governor-General was introduced from the up-stairs street balcony of Victory Hall by Mr A. Crow, President of The Mechanic’s Institute.   His Excellency received an inscribed gold key, made a few remarks, came down to the front door, opened it, and declared the building open.                                                                         

 

A concert then took place on the stage which was draped with the Australian Flag, Union Jack and Lion of Scotland, with supper terminating a memorable day.

 

The Civic Halls structures remained basically unchanged until the mid 1970’s when a major upgrade occurred. A commercial grade kitchen was built between the two halls and the entire Mechanic’s institute section had new strammit ceilings installed at 12 feet. A new floor in Victory Hall and general upgrading all round. Again in 2014/16 refreshment of paint work interior and exterior has uplifted the buildings.

 

Today we have this amazing structure basically as it was built in 1925, owned, maintained and loved by the citizens of Tatura and District.