Acheron Hall
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Sunday 15th June 2014 2.00 pm -
Acheron Mechanics' Institute Hall Centenary Celebration


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Acheron History Project

Click here to see photos of
Gala Dinner

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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Bus trips of sites of historical interest were held on the Saturday and Sunday mornings.                                                                                                    back to top  

 

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, t
he 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.

 
Contacts
President:
John Thorp
5772 1442
Secretary:
Larraine Redshaw
5772 2735
Hall Hire:
Barb and David Gamble
5772 3305
Treasurer:
Louise Edward
0402 082 185
Newsletter:
Beth Thorp
5772 1442
Email:
acheronhall@gmail.com