Pingaring Hall

Statement of Significance

The place represents the Pingaring community and a way of life. It demonstrates a sense of place as it commemorates the early settlers and successive generations in Pingaring.

Physical Description

The hall is constructed of cement blocks as is the CWA building, although the hall has been painted white. The roof is corrugated iron and gable with skillion extensions along the sides (later). The gable frontage has a stepped parapet. The double entry doors with a brick pillared flat roof porch is flanked by windows each side. In 1984, the north and south wings were added in addition to a new stage and kitchen. Each wing has been added along the length of the hall on either side of the main hall. The south side is the supper room and modern kitchen facility. On the north side the front are the toilet facilities.

History

As early as the 1920s the North Burngup community centred around the North Burngup Hall (Lake Grace Shire). However with the advent of the railway line in 1931, the focus of the community became more centred at the local siding at Pingaring. By the mid 1940s moves were underway to relocate the social centre of the district at the Pingaring Siding, and the hall was subsequently tendered and relocated to a local farm. The Pingaring community formed a committee to raise funds to build a community hall. A cropping program was one of the many fundraising projects. Large cement bricks were made by local men under contract, at the hall site. The first builder for the hall accepted the advance payment and disappeared. The next builder, J Piani, supervised the laying of the foundations. The labour was volunteered by the men in the local community. The roof and much of the floor was also built by those men during busy bees. The grand opening of the Pingaring Memorial Hall was held in September 1956 and Mr Lonnie the President of the RSL branch, performed the ceremony. CC Perkins, MLA also attended the opening, as well as some 400 people. In 1973, the 50th anniversary of the district was commemorated by a large stone and plaque which was cemented in place in front of the hall with a busy bee of local community labour. In 1983, the Shires of Kulin and Lake Grace (the Pingaring district is on the boundary of the two shires) were asked for funding to renovate and extend the hall. The extensions were opened on 1 December 1984 with a grand ball. The hall is used frequently by the vibrant and pro-active community of Pingaring. Clubs, social events, family gatherings, community events, dances, travelling shows, Syd Stewart's picture shows, repertory, meetings, and any manner of community interaction take place in the Pingaring Memorial Hall.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: intact Authenticity: high degree

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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