A community-minded group is fighting to keep the Eagle Point Hall alive.
The hall is one of only a handful in Australia owned by the community, however is currently seen as an under-utilised asset.
Suzanne Thatcher is part of group aiming to maintain the hall for community use. She said in the not-so-distant futre the hall will become 100 years old, however it is in need of some tender love and care.
Ms Thatcher said it would be a shame for the community to lose a hall which has played a part in many memorable moments for the small town.
“In the early 1920s a local landowner gave two parcels of land to the Eagle Point community. One parcel of land was to have the school reestablished, ie moved from the river side because of floods. The second was for a community hall to be built and used for the Eagle Point community as a whole,” Ms Thatcher said.
“Five local farmers agreed to see this though and the hall was built in 1930. The farmers and a committee managed the building of the hall and its usage.
“A few years ago, on the death of the last farmer it was officially transferred to the Eagle Point community by the Ah Yee family to keep the building and its usage for the local community.
“As years passed the demand on the hall and especially the committee members dwindled with the deaths of the ageing members, and life being too busy for younger people to come on board.”
Ms Thatcher said up until recently the committee had dwindled to a maximum of 10 members.
“Our community hall is shortly to turn 100 years old and as many new residents in Eagle Point did not even know the hall existed let alone what it could be used for, such as meetings, exercise classes, dances, etc.,” she said.
“Our school located next to the hall has previously used it for functions as well and are looking at holding some events closer to the end of and of school year.”
Ms Thatcher said a recent push has seen a spike in hall memberships.
“We recently had a membership drive and almost tripled our numbers,” she said.
“We have started to do some fundraising to give this lovely cosy old lady some well-earned love and attention as well as upgrading some of the amenities.
“Our first fundraiser is the car boot sale and sausage sizzle on Saturday, August 31.
“We welcome everyone to this event to either grab a bargain buy a sausage or donate to our cause.
“There will be safe of road parking supplied by the school for us this we gratefully appreciate.”
Anyone wishing to have a stall please can contact Suzanne or Maree (see advertisement page 20).
