The Woorak Hall reached a significant milestone on Saturday, 8 August, when more than 130 people, including past and present residents, their families and friends, gathered to celebrate its centenary.
People travelled from across the district and beyond, including Melbourne, Sydney and South Australia, to reacquaint themselves with the Hall, catch up with old friends and neighbours, and share memories of Woorak and the many occasions that have taken place there over the past 100 years.
There was a touch of gold about the day, with Olympic gold medallist and former Woorak local Lucy Stephan officially opening the centenary celebration and bringing along her Olympic gold medal for the occasion. Lucy generously shared her medal with those attending, inviting people to hold and wear it and have their photos taken with it, providing a special opportunity for many during the afternoon.
Gold could also be seen in the colourful displays of wattle decorating the Hall, while outside the surrounding paddocks of flowering canola provided a fitting golden backdrop for the day.
On arrival, everyone was invited to sign the visitors book – the very same book that had been used 50 years earlier when the community gathered to celebrate the Hall’s Golden Jubilee in 1976. Now containing the names of those who attended both the 50th and 100th anniversary celebrations, the book has become a special record of two significant milestones in the Hall’s history.
Inside, an extensive collection of photographs, memorabilia and historical displays gave visitors the opportunity to look back over a century of life at Woorak. Among the displays were items recovered from the 2001 time capsule, which had been opened in June after 25 years underground.
Two timber plaques made by Anthony Bone especially for the centenary were also on display, providing a lasting record of the Hall’s history. One lists the Hall’s office bearers over the years, while the other tells the story of the inaugural meeting held for the purpose of building the Hall, along with some of the history of its builder, Charlie Ansell.
A few more treasures from the Hall’s past were also discovered beneath the stage in the lead-up to the centenary and put on display for visitors. These included old lanterns and even a bag of sawdust, a reminder of the days when sawdust was used on the floor for dances. The historic Weaver player piano, purchased in 1927 and still remaining at the Hall today, also took pride of place on the stage.
Outside, another piece of Woorak history greeted visitors, with a horse-drawn work cart belonging to Hall builder Charlie Ansell on display in front of the building.
During the official proceedings, MC Gus Stephan gave an insight into the history of the Hall, which was built in 1926 through the efforts of the local community. It once again provided Woorak with a local meeting place after the district had been without a hall for almost 30 years, following the destruction of the original Hall in a cyclone in 1897. He also acknowledged the many people who had contributed their time and effort towards organising the centenary.
Woorak Hall President Michael Koop also addressed those gathered, followed by Hindmarsh Shire Mayor Cr Ron Ismay, who provided an interesting insight into the Hall’s construction and some of the materials used in the building, including the ripple iron that has helped it stand the test of time.
One of the more unusual pieces of Woorak history was brought back to life during the afternoon when Ted Merrett played the Hall’s old button accordion. The instrument, which was donated almost a century ago, once again filled the building with music, with Ted’s performance proving a highlight of the afternoon – and almost having those gathered dancing to the beat.
Outside the Hall, old-fashioned games provided plenty of fun for all ages, while inside, a children’s activity corner kept the younger visitors entertained throughout the afternoon.
Guests enjoyed a generous afternoon tea provided by Menzies Symposium of Jeparit, with plenty of time to browse the displays and reminisce.
Lucy Stephan later returned to centre stage to draw the winning tickets in the centenary raffle, which featured a range of prizes generously donated by local businesses.
The centenary was the culmination of many months of planning by the Woorak Hall Centenary Organising Committee, supported by the Hall Committee, local volunteers, businesses, community organisations, sponsors and supporters. In the lead-up to the event, people came together and pitched in wherever they could, a true reflection of just how much the Hall continues to mean to the Woorak community.
Just as special on the day was seeing people meet and mingle, sharing their stories and memories of Woorak and the Hall. The occasion provided an opportunity not only to reflect on its first 100 years, but also to recognise the generations of local people who have maintained, supported and enjoyed it.
Since opening in 1926, the Woorak Hall has hosted countless meetings, dances, celebrations, Christmas gatherings, weddings, sporting and community functions and fundraising events. While the district and the way the Hall is used have changed over the years, it continues to provide an important meeting place for the local community.
A century after its doors first opened, the Woorak Hall remains at the heart of its community – bringing people together, preserving local history and memories, and now beginning its second century.
Ted Merrett played the Hall’s old button accordion
The Dimboola Courier was a sponsor of this event
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