Balingup Town Hall

Statement of Significance

Balingup Town Hall is a substantial brick building in the Inter-War Californian Bungalow style and is a landmark in the centre of the town. It makes an important contribution to the social life of the community, and has done so since the construction of the agricultural hall.

Physical Description

Situated on the corner of Roberts Street and Jayes Road, Balingup Town Hall is a red face brick building with a gabled corrugated iron roof in the Inter-War Californian Bungalow style, added to the earlier Agricultural Hall. The site slopes steeply and stone foundations have been constructed. Internally the layout comprises a ticket box, large jarrah timber double doors into the entrance foyer, double jarrah doors to the main hall, double doors on the eastern side to the supper room (old hall), and double doors on the west side exit. At the southern end is a timber stage area with stairs on both sides. Behind the stage are storage and dressing areas, with a timber weatherboard and fibro exterior. Leading off the main foyer are a powder room and therapy room. Next to the entrance ramp is a separate office, now the library, formerly the Roads Board Office and Shire Office. Above the library is the old projector room, with access from outside by stairway (since removed). Internal/external toilets are connected to the hall. There is also an Honour Roll.

History

In 1896-97, the local Farmers & Settlers’ Association successfully applied for a government grant of £260 towards building an Agricultural Hall at Balingup. In 1898, tenders were called and the hall was built, with J. P. Ladden as architect in charge. It was constructed of locally made bricks, and provided a much needed meeting place and social venue for gatherings and events, including school concerts such as that in May 1899, which was followed by a ball. In 1899, Upper Capel (later Balingup) Road Board was formed and its first meeting was held at the hall, where the small room became the regular venue for its meetings. The main hall was the venue for ratepayers’ meetings and other large gatherings and events, including the first show organised by the local Agricultural Society in 1909, which the Minister for Agriculture, James (later Sir James) Mitchell opened. In 1918-19, ratepayers discussed the question of additions to the hall as did not have a stage or ladies’ dressing accommodation and was considered too small for the needs of the increasing population and asked the Road Board to consider renovating and enlarging it. The suggestion was to add a new larger and wider hall, with an equipped stage, to the existing hall, which could become a reading room and library with a billiard table for use of returned soldiers. In 1921, a committee to investigate making additions or erecting a new hall recommended building a new hall, and a ratepayers’ meeting voted to strike a rate to cover the cost. In 1928, the matter was raised again by ratepayers, who petitioned for a referendum that endorsed a proposal to raise a loan of £2,000 to build a new hall. Architect F. J. Coote designed the new hall adjoining the 1890s hall, which was converted to a supper room and Road Board offices. On 3 May, the Minister for Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supplies, C. F. Baxter, opened the new Balingup Hall, where a celebratory ball was held in the evening. The ‘handsome hall’ (West Australian 10 May 1930) included a stage (22 ft. deep) in the main hall that seated 480 people. Balingup Hall has been the venue for numerous social functions including balls and dances, concerts, theatrical performances, film shows, church services, fetes, weddings and other celebrations, ANZAC Day services and First Aid classes. Other uses included a Child Health Clinic, and doctors from Bridgetown used a room to provide a local medical service. The hall has continuously accommodated Balingup Library, established as a free lending library and administered by the State Library Board since 1958. In 1971, the Shires of Balingup and Donnybrook amalgamated to become the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup and subsequently the vacated offices at Balingup Hall accommodated the library. In the early 2000s, Balingup Hall continues to provide a social facility for the local community.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate to high

Condition

Fair-Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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