Leaning to oblivion

The importance of recording and digitally preserving abandoned buildings before they too succumb to the elements is indisputable.

Dinyarrak Hall in March 2013

This was no more obvious than approaching the Dinyarrack Hall to find it collapsed onto itself.

Remains of the Dinyarrak Hall in December 2016

'Border Chronicle' 4.4.1933

The Dinyarrak Hall was the center of the community for many years, which had a racecourse, a hunt club, the Dinyarrak Bush Fire Brigade was formed in the hall, and the Wild Dog Club was just one group which met in the hall.
It also housed Dinyarrak State School No. 4178. The school opened on a trial basis in October 1923 for the children of soldier settlers (the number of pupils was insufficient to warrant the establishment of a school for the district close to the South Australian border) in the Dinyarrak Hall leased from the Trustees of the Hall Committee from July 1923. In 1926, a proposal to move to a more central site was defeated. It was the opening of the new school at Cove Estate that reduced the number of pupils, and Dinyarrak closed under ministerial direction in November 1930 in favour of the more central SS4457 Cove Estate. The school furniture & equipment went to Cove Estate.

Interior of the Dinyarrak Hall

Further down the road at Diapur, it was a similar situation for the little grain receival/sampling shed at the railway siding. After adopting a definite lean for some years, it finally toppled over.

The Diapur shed in January 2008

Diapur with the Melbourne-Adelaide rail line behind, December 2016

And so it was with some trepidation to continue on to Boyeo, knowing that it was only the sturdy construction with extra rafters and internal bracing that had prevented it from collapsing earlier.

Had the wild weather affected Boyeo too?

Boyeo School in March 2013

And in December 2016

Fortunately not, apart from a greater degree of incline it was still upright. A few more weatherboards were missing, the door was no longer swinging on its hinges and someone had propped it against a wall, but essentially it was much the same - for now.

The message though is don't expect abandoned or neglected buildings to remain or be saved and restored. Capture them while you can because tomorrow may be too late.

Update on local halls

Previously there have been a couple of posts concerning stage curtains - the section of the stage which sets the scene. These backdrops were works of art, huge canvases often depicting rural/garden scenes or town/cityscapes, see posts - Drawing the curtain and On stage in Watchem.

There are still a number of local halls which have not succumb to the mere film screen perched at the rear of the stage - Aubrey, Rupanyup, and Kooreh.

And here is Kooreh's stage curtains - very English

The stage curtains & the new flooring

450mm of flood water inundated the Kooreh Hall during the floods in January 2011, leaving behind 15cm of silt. While the floorboards and some fittings were ruined and had to be replaced, the historic stage curtains were saved.

The flood level peaked at the mark on the plaque now attached to the side door of the hall (photo on the left).

It was thanks to funds from the government & the Shire that the hall was restored.

The restored hall now

Kooreh represents what can be done with local community support and sufficient monetary funds. Unlike Gre Gre, where the hall building has to be approaching 'too-far-gone'

Gre Gre Village Soldiers Memorial Hall

The Gre Gre Village Hall was erected as a memorial to the soldiers of World War 1, in 1923. 

Fourteen Gre Gre district people served in the First World War, including Nurse A.C. Jackson.

The building has deteriorated even further since this photograph (on the right) was taken by Esma Barratt in 1988.

On the stage in Watchem

Back in August 2013 the blog entry ‘Drawing the curtain’  related to stage curtains, the section of the stage which sets the scene. These backdrops were works of art, huge canvases often depicting rural/garden scenes or town/cityscapes. 

One of the most prolific artists of stage curtains in Victoria was scenic stage painter Barry Henry George Jaggers (1869-1940). Originally from New Zealand where he painted over 80 public concert halls, he was engaged by the government of New South Wales to decorate public buildings for the Commonwealth (Federation) celebrations.

Moving to Victoria, Jaggers painted a number of scenic backdrops for Mechanics' Institutes in Gippsland, and Central Victoria. And as we’ve just found in Watchem too.

Below is the stage curtain he painted in 1928 – “In the Rockies”, which is still in use in the Watchem Public Hall.

Drawing the curtain

Ever thought about 'stage curtains' the section of the stage which sets the scene?
These backdrops were works of art, huge canvases often depicting rural/garden scenes or town/cityscapes.

One of the most prolific artists of stage curtains in Victoria was scenic stage painter Barry Henry George Jaggers (1869-1940). He painted a number of scenic backdrops for Mechanics' Institutes in Gippsland, and Central Victoria.

The stage curtain in the Aubrey Hall relegated to the background behind the ubiquitous white board

There are still a number of local halls which have not succumb to the mere film screen perched at the rear of the stage - Aubrey (see photo), Rupanyup, and Kooreh.
450mm of flood water inundated the Kooreh Hall during the floods in January 2011, leaving behind 15cm of silt. While the floorboards and some fittings were ruined and had to be replaced, the historic stage curtains were saved.
So spare a thought for the important historic value of these large scale art objects.

Halls at home

Home is Where the Hall is is a grassroots, community arts initiative produced by Regional Arts Victoria.
During the month of November halls across regional Victoria will be presenting a range of activities, selected and designed by the local community.

The Hopetoun Town Hall built in 1922

2011 signalled the inaugural event, and during the month of November that year over 70 halls from Emu to Mollyulah presented a huge range of activities, selected and designed by the local community, from bake-offs to dance competitions, photography exhibitions to film nights.
Events this year will be held  from 1st to 30th November, they can be used as a fundraiser, to attract new committee members, to support local artists and performers, or to connect with other halls across Victoria.

The Langkoop Hall rebuilt after the 1951 bushfire

St Arnaud Town Hall opened in 1870, the WWI Memorial was added in 1928, and an extension in 1935

Stawell Town Hall complete with clock and Westminster chimes

 Home is Where the Hall is will be a fantastic and fun way to celebrate these vital community hubs.