Recent Projects

 
   

Hall painting and toilet block upgrade
In November 2021, the exterior of the hall was repainted and the exterior and toilet block was partially renovated. This was made possible by a successful application for an ‘Indi Stronger Community’ grant which was submitted by the Acheron Hall committee.
Painting of the exterior of the hall is now completed, however the renovation of the toilet block, is still a work in progress. Weather proofing, new drainage, floor sealing, painting of interior, rendering and painting of exterior and an external roller door have been completed.
Tiling of the floor is the last stage, and will hopefully be completed soon.

 
 
 

 
Improvement of Acheron Tennis Court
 
 

A tennis court was built in 1926 on the land in McColl Lane, opposite the Acheron Hall. The tennis court consisted of a concrete playing surface and a wire fence enclosure. The court was constantly in use from 1920s until the late 1950s with an active Acheron Tennis Club. The court and fence deteriorated over time, resulting in the court being rarely used. Eventually the court became overgrown, with vegetation hiding the court from view. During 2015 the land on which the tennis court was built, was gifted to the Acheron Mechanics Institute Inc. In 2016 a group of Acheron residents decided to renovate the existing tennis court and fence.
The first stage of the renovation was undertaken and completed in 2016 when the concrete court was cleaned of weeds, surface cracks were patched and the surrounding land was cleared of scrub-trees, weeds and blackberries. The apron of the court was filled with gravel and levelled. New tennis net posts were installed and a new tennis net purchased. Some temporary repairs were made to what remained of the original wire fence.
The court became suitable for playing rough tennis and the sounds of racquet on ball were once again heard beside the Acheron Hall. Late in 2016 an opening ceremony was held to celebrate the first stage being completed.
The second stage, which included replacing the old wire fence with a new one, installing a basketball practice hoop on a separate concrete slab and erecting a small shelter, was completed in 2018, with a grant obtained from the Marysville Triangle Community Foundation, and many hours of community volunteer labour at numerous working bees. This shelter is known as the 'Marion Dick Shelter'. Marion Dick was a well-known and popular local resident who was a keen tennis player of the early days. The Dick family have generously donated money to meet the costs of the shelter.

Since 2018 the court surface has again deteriorated especially after the 2022 floods resulting in an uneven and cracked surface. The Acheron Mechanics Institute is currently seeking funding to resurface the court and to have lines marked for both tennis and pickleball, to provide a free outdoor recreational area for the Acheron community.

 
 
Above: The new fence.                                   Above: 'The Marion Dick Shelter'                                         Above:  The basket ball hoop  
 
Above: The various stages of the fence being erected.
 
 
Above: The basketball hoop being installed.
 
 
Above: Margaret Rae (local councillor) and Andy Lloyd (Leader of Tennis Court project) at the 2016 opening.
 
 
Above: a bit of rough tennis with onlookers at the 2016 opening.
 
clearing the site
1920s
1950s
Above left: The old tennis court area being cleared. Above centre and to the right: Acheron Tennis Club Members in the 1920s, and in the 1950s.
 
   
Contacts
President:
Pamela Ross
0425 749 188
Secretary:
Jan Fallon
0419 871 483
Hall Hire:
Barb and David Gamble
0417 013 701   0409 228 873
Treasurer:
Sue Moran
0421 082 854
Newsletter/Web:
Beth Thorp
0439 756 703
Email:
barbaramgamble@bigpond.com