Historical Plenty Buildings
The Plenty Community Hall
Elsie Wilson, Queen of the Hills.
Artist’s interpretation of the Plenty Community Hall, c.1931.
Plenty Hall, 2024.
The Plenty Social Club was formed under the auspice of The Plenty Progress Association on 31st May 1924. The members of the club immediately set about raising funds to acquire what were seen to be critically important community assets – a piano and a Community Hall.
The Club held regular fund-raising socials and euchre tournaments at the Plenty State School, in the caretaker’s cottage and dining room at Sutherland homes, and in member’s homes. Grand Balls held in the Diamond Creek Hall were very popular and contributed significantly to available funds. In May 1925, the Club purchased a Scheweton piano from Christies and Co. on terms, paying a deposit of 30 pounds with the balance of 120 pounds to be paid within 12 months. Piano debentures with face values of 1 pound and ten shillings were issued to supplement available funds.
At a meeting of the club held on the 29th November 1924, it was resolved “that the Club when the opportune time arrives procure land on which to erect a Hall and if necessary for other forms of recreation.” The need for a hall was discussed regularly at committee meetings and as time passed the matter became increasingly more urgent.
At the second Annual General Meeting of the Club held on 24th July 1926, it was agreed that an approach be made to the Heidelberg Shire Council to determine the conditions on which they would assist with the purchase of land on which to build a hall.
In December 1928, the Australian taxation Office advised that the Plenty Social Club was required to change its name to “The Plenty Progress Association and Social Club” and that the State Savings bank account be renamed “Plenty Public Hall” account.
In August 1929, the executive Committee of the Association were requested to” enquire into ways and means of erecting a Public Hall in the Plenty district.”
The minutes of the meeting held on 26th October 1929, record that a portion of land had been offered to the Association by a resident on which to erect a Public Hall. It was agreed that a cost estimate be obtained to construct a Hall 60 feet by 30 feet being a shell only which complies with council regulations.
In November 1929, the Committee agreed to hold a Queen’s Competition to raise funds to build a hall. Three queens were to be selected with votes costing three pence each. Mr D Lennan was elected to be organising chief of the Queen Carnival. In December 1929, the committee wrote to the three riding councillors congratulating them on the purchase of the land in plenty for use as a public reserve (now called the Plenty War Memorial Park.) The portion of land allocated for the hall building (now Plenty Heritage Park) was at the northern end of the reserve by the butler’s Rd deviation (Memorial Drive.)
The Queen Carnival was held in the Diamond Creek Hall on Friday, 16th May 1930.
- Miss Elsie Wilson, Queen of the Hills, raised 95 pounds 3 shillings.
- Miss Beryl Daglish, Queen of Progress, raised 76 pounds.
- Miss Effie Rolfs, Queen of Sports, raised 45 pounds.
Ticket sales less expenses, including 1 pound – 17 – 3 entertainment tax payable to the Australian Taxation office, added 4 pound – 18 – 10.
In November 1930, the Heidelberg Shire building inspector was requested to prepare plans for the hall 40 feet by 30 feet. It was later agreed that the dimensions of the hall should be 50 feet by 30 feet.
Working Bees were held on 24th January, and 21st February 1931, to clear and grub the hall site. Messers Dwyer, Steggles, Redpath, McLaughlin and Porteous were elected to form a plenty Park Committee.
As soon as plans, specifications and tender forms were received from the Shire building inspector in March, the project was put out to tender. On 12th May 1931, the committee considered the 38 tenders received and awarded the task of supplying labour and material to build the hall to WD Mahony, corner Ross and Westgarth Streets, Westgarth, at a cost of 272 pounds 8 shillings.
Messers HV Childs, JE Wilson and BA Lierse were elected as trustees of the Plenty Public Hall and, together with Messers AW Porteous and EO Lierse, were appointed authorised signatories to operate the hall’s bank account held at The Greensborough branch of the State Savings bank of Victoria.
The committee held their first meeting in the new premises on Tuesday 14th July 1931. The hall was officially opened with a Grand Ball held in the new hall on Friday, 17th July 1931.
Once the hall was completed the members of the Plenty Progress Association and Social Club turned their attention and efforts to raising funds for Unemployment Relief. Regular socials, at one time on a fortnightly basis, were held in the hall for the benefit of the unemployed.
Where are we?
Address: Plenty Historic Church
2 – 6 Memorial Drive, Plenty 3090
Phone Number: 03 9435 9117
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Plenty Historical Society
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