Wongan Hills Hall - Site

Statement of Significance

The site represents the development of the civic authority, social and community organisations, and demonstrates the social activities in the developing town of Wongan Hills.

Physical Description

Playground

History

By 1910, the railway was planned from Goomalling to Wongan Hills, but there was no townsite for Wongan Hills. The East Wongan Hills Progress Association requested 3 acres in the north-east corner of Loc 1355, and in 1911, the first 35 town lots were taken in a brisk auction. Rapid development took place and it was soon apparent that the prospering town lacked amenities. A new "Town" Progress Association was formed, and for seven months two associations operated, finally amalgamating in July 1913. The Progress Association requested a State hotel, recreation ground, a local representative on the Goomalling Roads Board, an official Stationmaster and a cemetery. An Agricultural Hall Committee was formed. A surplus of funds from the Railway opening formed the basis of the hall funds, and a Building Committee was established. Settlers had been paying subsidies to the hall since 1911. On the 25 March 1914, Sir Henry B Lefroy opened the Agricultural Hall, and celebrations continued with a sports meeting, horse and foot racing and a grand ball. Only £100 of the £300 cost was still owing. Local government activities were controlled by the Public Works Department, and with the rail came the need for roads and water supplies. PWD invited representatives to a conference to discuss new Roads Districts. RRB Ackland was the Wongan Hills representative. The first meeting of the Melbourne Roads Board district took place in August 1916, with Booth as chairperson. Four wards each had a rail siding; Wongan Hills, Mocardy, Kondut and Ballidu, and meetings were held alternatively in Wongan Hills and Ballidu. The Agricultural Society held their inaugural Industrial Exhibition in October 1917, with an emphasis on children's work. The Exhibition was repeated in 1918 and 1919. The matter of a home for the Roads Board had the subject of frequent discussion from as early as 1917, and in 1921, after frustrations with lack of full board meetings, it was moved that the office be established at the Agricultural Hall until such time that an office was built. The first permanent meeting place for the Roads Board therefore became the Agricultural Hall in 1921. In 1922, attempts were made to upset the arrangement when the ratepayers from the north strenuously objected and a special meeting of the Melbourne Roads Board was called, the outcome being the decision that the permanent office of the Roads Board would be Wongan Hills, and up to £600 be spent on constructing an office at the front of the Agricultural hall. Meanwhile an office was rented from Mr O. W. Ganzer in Wilson St. In February 1925, the Melbourne Roads Board became the Wongan-Ballidu Roads Board. By 1926, there were still problems with regard to the proposed office, and a referendum finally, overwhelmingly determined that Wongan Hills was the site. The Agricultural Hall was vested in the Agricultural Society, so the Roads Board took it over and gave the Ag Society the adjoining lot 139. The Roads Board Offices were opened in 1928, by the Minister for Works. In 1928, Mr Ellis began showing pictures once a week in the hall. An outdoor picture theatre also operated in the park behind the hall. The newly formed Country Women's Association used the ante room for their meetings. In 1936, Mrs Walsh donated the Honour Board. During World War Two, the Roads Board offered concessions for the use of the hall for the war effort. When the Infant health Services commenced from Miling in 1946, the ante room was made available. In 1963, the building was demolished when the new Shire Administration offices and Council Chambers were constructed in Elphin Cres.

Condition

Site

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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