The
afternoon's proceedings were as follows:
-
Welcome from Master of Cermonies, John Thorp, Hall Committee President,
to the approx. 230 residents, past and present who had assembled to
participate in the Centenary.
-
Address by Geoff Dobson who is a direct descendant of Mr Anderson Dobson,
the first president of the Mechanics' Institute, who opened the hall
in 1914. This was finished off with a rousing rendition by the audience
of 'God Save the King', as was sung in 1914.
-
The centenary cake was cut by Stella Webster, with help of her daughter
Bernice Webster.
-
Cindy McLeish MP, launched the book, Acheron: a history of the district,
and made a presentation to the two major authors, Andrea Turner and
Elaine Furniss and to the designer Beth Thorp. There was also a presentation
to Bernice Webster for her contributions to the book.
-
Wykeham Perry, local artist who painted 'A View of the Acheron Valley'
- the raffle prize, was given a round of applause.
-
George Cumming, partiach of the Cumming family - very early selectors
in the district - drew the raffle and also addressed the audience.
-
Corinne Brewis, a representative of the Mechanics' Institute, gave a
history of the Mechanics' Institutes and presented a Centenary Plaque
which will be attached to the front of the Hall.
-
Centenary tree planting by the Mayor of Murrindindi, Margaret Rae, together
with representatives of the Rennie families, Jenny and Marian Rennie
- A
sumptuous afternnon tea by provided by the Hall Committee and other
locals. See photos of afternoon's activities below.
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Acheron
Hall
The Acheron Community Hall, formally the Acheron Mechanics' Institute
and Free Library, was designed and built by Mr.J.R. Ferguson in
1914.
At
the time of its opening, the Hall was described as a monument on
the site of the first settlement at Acheron, as it stands on the
site where, a Mr.John Conolly, Mr.Hugh Glass's farm manager, built
his house. Mr.Hugh Glass was the Squatter taking up Niagaroon Run,
in 1856.
This land extended along the western side of the Acheron River. The
hall was built on a one quarter acre block donated to the community
by Mr.Thomas Connelly (not to be confused with the Mr.John Conolly
mentioned above) using money raised by the community and £50
from a Government grant.
Today, the
Hall is administered in trust for the local community by the Acheron
Hall Committee. Legally, the Acheron Hall is an incorporated body
known as The Acheron Mechanics' Institute Inc.
These two photos below show the land around the hall - the beautiful
Acheron Valley. |
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