Tenterden Agricultural Hall

Condition

Place destroyed by bush fire 27 December 2003.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Statement of Significance

The Tenterden Community Hall has an important part in the history of rural Australia. Community halls were a valued social focus in rural communities, and the Tenterden Hall was used for a variety of purposes by a wide range of community groups. Religious services, dances, concerts, parties, games nights, badminton, table tennis, Christmas Tree functions, and Guy Fawkes nights are some of the activities which took place there. Music for dances was provided by the piano purchased by the Ladies Committee and the Repertory Club was established c 1946. The hall was also used for meetings of the Progress Association and as a drill room by the Defence Department prior to WWI. It was used for fundraising for the war effort and for a 'Welcome Home" event after WWII. After the hall has been restored, it is planned that it will be used for educational purposes, and that it will house displays of significant machinery, artifacts and photographs in a cultural museum. It is also hoped that the Repertory Club will once again use the hall as a venue for performances. In placing the Tenterden Hall on the Interim Register of the National Estate in 1992, the Australian Heritage Council recognnised the value of the hall, and paid tribute to the efforts of pioneer settlers in establishing rural communities. It is anticipated that it will be permanently listed on the WA State Register of Heritage Places after restoration is complete.

Physical Description

The Tenterden Hall is set on a cleared block in the Tenterden townsite. It was constructed from tapered timber weatherboard with a gabled corrugated iron roof and wooden sash windows. The main hall was approximately 12 m by 7 m. Inside the walls were lined with tongue and groove dado to a height of approx 4ft, and the rest of the walls to ceiling height were constructed of plasterboard (horse hair and plaster). The distinctive cove ceiling is made of oregon pine. Two ceiling vents made from tin assisted with the ventilation of the hall. The need for a hall in the area had been recognised by 1906. and a building committee was established in 1907. The Public Works Department approved the plans for the building, providing a grant of £148 towards the cost of the building. Local fundraising efforts helped to boost the funds held in the Western Australia Bank in Mount Barker. The tender was won by William Mawson from Albany, who quoted £198 with an additional £22 for the cove ceiling, which has always been a feature of the building. After the opening in 1909 by Mr E Barrett. ML A for Albany, the hall was administered by a Management Committee of seven. Elected to the initial committee were E Wornum. J Lunt. T Betts. J Bunker. F Spratt, W Tufnell and A Weir. The hall had its own lighting plant which was maintained by the local men.In 1946 plans for extensions were being discussed, and the new supper room additions were opened in 1948. Inside the building there is the main hall, a stage, a kitchen behind the stage, the supper room and rooms to the side, used for a dressing room, for storage, or for a creche. By 1968 the hall was not being used much and was falling into disrepair. An approach for funding was made to the Australian Heritage Commission in 1992, and although funding was not available, the land was vested to the Tenterden Agricultural Institute Inc. In 1994 the AHC granted $18,000 over two years for the restoration of the hall. Local volunteer labour to the value of $11,000 was part of the agreement A further grant of $3,600 was made available by the Lotteries Commission in 1995, to restore the windows and doors. Restoration work has been in progress for some time, and a new corrugated iron has been installed and much of the weatherboard has been replaced. The interior has yet to be restored.

History

Themes: Community Efforts & Sport, Recreation and Entertainment.

Condition

Undergoing restoration in 1995-6 - Destroyed by fire, 27 December 2003

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