The Costerfield community will gather this weekend to celebrate a beloved community hall after a century of service.
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Costerfield Hall committee member Norm Harris said there were not as many halls left in the country these days and locals had kept the building and grounds in very good condition.
The current hall rose out of the ashes of a mechanics’ institute which burnt down in 1916. While the fire’s cause was lost to history, Mr Harris said townspeople of the time had swiftly built a new one.
“This was during the period towards the end of the Great War and people wanted somewhere for the repatriation of volunteers who were fighting overseas,” he said.
“The hall was where they (wanted to) welcome volunteers home and that’s what it was used for.”
Mr Harris said the hall was the only substantial building connecting the town to its early days as a mining centre. The town was established in 1861, the mechanics institute was completed in 1876 and the replacement hall about four decades later.
The 100th anniversary celebrations would begin at 3pm Saturday with a meet and greet before the grandson of the hall’s first committee chairman unveiled a new plaque.
Entry cost $10, with proceeds going towards aiding the hall. People were encouraged to bring a plate of food to share for afternoon tea.
The evening would see a sausage sizzle, followed by a dance and supper.