The opening of the Dalmore Public Hall in 1925

The Public Hall at Dalmore was officially on Friday, November 27, 1925.

The opening of the Dalmore Hall

Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 26, 1925, p. 1

It was to have been opened by the Prime Minister, the Right Honorable S.M. Bruce, who was also the local parliamentarian, being the member for Flinders. As it was, he couldn't make it due to the death of the Queen Mother, or Queen Alexandra, widow of George VII, and mother of George V, who died on November 20, 1925.

The Dalmore Hall in 2017

Image: Stewart Chambers. Pakenham Gazette April 27, 2017

The Dalmore Hall eventually fell into disrepair and disuse and was sold off by the few remaining members of the Dalmore Hall Trust in 2017. It was restored and is now a private home.

The original plan of the Dalmore Hall, as sent to the Department of Public Health, along with all the specifications on October 15, 1925.

Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 7882/P0001, 1087

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of December 3, 1925, p.2 had this extensive report on the opening of the Dalmore Hall. I have added some information in the footnotes about some of the people mentioned, in the article. 

Dalmore Public Hall. Opening ceremony

About six years ago Mr A. Cochrane (1) recognized the great potentialities and possibilities of the Dalmore district, and in keeping with such faith mooted the idea that a public hall should be erected as a rendezvous for social and educational functions. He realised that the young life of a community should be provided with all the essential social attractions to counteract the influence of life and gaiety of the city, and if such were not catered for, then the dull and drab existence would only bring discontentment and unrest, and conditions would be unbearable and young folk will flow to where the environments could be tolerated and enjoyed

Mr Cochrane conveyed his suggestion to Mr H.R. Boyd (2), who immediately took the matter up with enthusiasm. It was a most ambitious scheme, and they were fully cognisant that it would entail much hard work before their object would be achieved. It has been said that the only road to success is to make the attempt, so the matter was brought under the notice of other persons, with the result that four years ago a trust was formed comprising Messrs A. Cochrane, E. Mills, T. Wood, S. Christie, W. Hardy, J. Hardy senr., and H.R. Boyd. (3)

These gentlemen set to work with a will, collectors were appointed, and all sorts of functions devised to further the scheme. The response to their appeals were most liberal, and about 12 months ago it was resolved that the time was opportune to have the edifice erected. Land was purchased on the south side of the railway line, adjoining the State school, and Mr R.M. King (4) was instructed to draw up plans. When tenders were received the trustees decided to give Mr A.F. Boote (5), of Dandenong, the contract. 

Tenders invited for the Dalmore Hall, from the Architect, R.M. King.

The Age, July 29, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155796659

The building is a large and commodious structure, and cost £1000. On entering the building ladies and gentlemen’s dressing rooms are on each side of a passage which leads to the main hall. This hall is 72ft by 29ft 8in.,and has two side entrances. At the back are a kitchen and supper room. For the purpose of concerts and lectures there is a removable stage. Special attention has been given to the floor, which alone cost £220. It is composed of New Zealand kauri, and has been laid down to make it eminently suitable for dancing. Having the edifice erected, it was decided to have a committee in control, and a few weeks ago officers were elected, with Mr E. Mills as president and Mr H. Boyd, hon. Secretary.

Last Friday evening the hall was an auspicious occasion, as it was officially opened by holding a concert and dance. The Prime Minister (Hon. S.M. Bruce) and the Minister for Lands (Hon. A. Downward) both had promised to attend, but owing to the death of the Queen Mother the sent apologies for their absence and regretted being unable to be present. The night was ideal for such a function, and there was an over-crowded attendance, all the surrounding districts being represented.

Mr E. Mills presided, and after apologizing for the absence of Mr Bruce and Mr Downward referred to the method which had been adopted in raising money towards the erection of the hall. They had collected £500, and another £500 had been raised by persons signing a joint and several loans. He eulogised the splendid spirit which all residents had exhibited in co-operating to achieve success, and specially mentioned Messrs A. Cochrane and H. Boyd for the untiring efforts they had put forth.

Cr. G.R. Burhop (6) tendered congratulations to the public on having such a beautiful hall, and hoped many pleasant evenings would be spent there.

Mr A. Cochrane expressed great pleasure in being present, especially as he had initiated the movement towards having the building erected and wished the institution every success.

The Shire President (Cr McCulloch (7)) in declaring the hall opened complimented the workers in their success. It was only fitting that Dalmore, which is one of the finest places in southern Victoria, should have such an edifice. It would be a place where young and old would meet for social and educational functions, and it should be instrumental in enriching their lives in very way. He wished the committee and the people every success in their venture.

The following musical programme was then rendered, the items being greatly appreciated, and numerous encores were responded to:- Overture McAlpin Bros’ orchestra; song, Miss Wilson; recitation, Miss Dodd; song, Miss Hunter; song and dance, Miss Crocker; instrumental quartette, McAlpin Bros’ orchestra; song, Mrs Williams; banjo solo, Mr Higham; song, Miss Gallagher; Highland dancing, Misses Evans and Ross; song, Mrs Williams; recitation, Miss Dodd; Highland dancing, Misses Evans and Ross; instrumental quartette, McAlpin Bros’ orchestra; song, Miss Hunter; song, Miss Gallagher; comic song, Mr Edgley; song, Miss Wilson; song and dance, Miss Crocker; comic song, Mr Higham.

At the conclusion of the concert Cr M. Bennett (8) moved a comprehensive vote of thanks be accorded to the performers and workers. This was seconded by Cr Taylor (9), and carried by acclamation.

On behalf of the committee, Mr E. Mills thanked Mr and Mrs Boyd for donating a beautifully framed picture of the Prince of Wales, which is be hung on the walls.

Supper was then served in a large marquee, and indefatigable body of workers, under the direction of Mrs S. Christie (10), attending to the wants of the patrons.

Dancing was afterwards kept going till the early hours of the morning to delectable music provided by the St. Kilda Melody Merchants.

The committee are deeply indebted to Mr J. Hardy, senr., who has lent his piano to the hall until another is purchased, also for a loan to purchase Gloria lights.

The committee, and especially the hon. secretary (Mr H.R. Boyd), must be congratulated on the harmonious way in which everything in connection with the ceremony passed off.

................................................................................

A new kitchen was added in 1954; it was a 15 feet by 14 feet room with a skillion roof, at the back of the original kitchen. The original kitchen wall was removed to give more floor space, as the plan notes.

The Kitchen extension plan from April 1954.

Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 7882/P0001, 1087

A function was held at the Hall in September 1954 and the Dandenong Journal reported that - 

the whole gathering was in rapturous praise of the Dalmore Hall committee for the excellent job they had done with the extensions and renovations to the Hall. The building has been lengthened and lined, new ceiling erected, new kitchen built and the hall brightly painted throughout; also the floor prepared for dancing in such manner that the hall will be the envy of all who attend in future. (Dandenong Journal, September 15, 1954, see here)

Footnotes

(1) Alexander Fleming Cochrane, involved in the Dalmore Progress Association and agitated to have a school opened in Dalmore (it opened in August 1920). He was listed in the Electoral Rolls at Dalmore from 1914 until 1924. His occupation was a clerk.  His wife was  Alice Maud Cochrane (nee Smith). By 1931 they were living in Bentleigh. Alexander died in 1959, aged 83.

The Age, November 20, 1959, p.23 from newspapers.com

(2) Harold Reginald Boyd, farmer, lived at Dalmore, with his wife Charlotte (nee Doherty) from around 1922 until the 1940s, he had a Soldier Settlement block. He appealed against the SRWSC valuation of the farm in 1940, you can read about this and his farm in the Dandenong Journal, February 21, 1940, here. He moved to Dandenong in the 1940s, and operated a hardware shop. Harold died in 1963, aged 67.

(3) Other Trust members - 

E. Mills - this is W.E. Mills, listed in the 1927 article, below, as leaving the district. There is a William Ernest Mills, a farmer, at Koo Wee Rup and later Dalmore, but according to the Electoral Rolls, he didn't appear to leave the district. Can't confirm who this is at the moment

South Bourke & Mornington Journal July 21, 1927 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214588792

                                                                                                                                                              

T. Wood - Thomas Cuddeford Wood, listed in the 1924 and 1927 Electoral Rolls as a farmer of Dalmore. He later moved to Dandenong, where he died at the age of 71, and you can read his obituary in the Dandenong Journal of  November 12, 1952 here. To be honest the Electoral Rolls seem to have a Thomas Cuddeford Wood senior and junior, so I can't really confirm which one was the Trustee. 

S. Christie - Samuel Kerr Christie, a farmer of Dalmore. Listed in the Electoral Rolls in the area from 1914 (had previously been at Stratford) to 1928. He married Evelyn Rebecca Hazlett in 1912. Samuel died in 1933, aged 50

Dandenong Journal, February 16, 1933 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201299372

W. Hardy and J. Hardy senr., I presume these are William John Hardy, senior and junior, listed in the Electoral rolls at Dalmore as farmers. The Hardy family were pioneers of the district. Embling and Emily (nee Gregory) Harding settled in 1853 at Dandenong and then moved to Clyde in 1856 - Hardy Road is named for the family. They had five children, some of whose children moved to Dalmore. There are many Hardys and I am not sure how these two fit it. A John William Hardy died in 1940, aged 85 - the son of Embling and Emily Harding.  There was also a William John Hardy who died in 1937, aged 51; he was the son of John and Sophia (nee Cadd) Hardy and thus a grandson of Embling and Emily Harding. More information on the Hardy family on the Clyde History website - https://www.earlyhistory4clydevic.com/html/0404hardy.html 

(4)  R.M. King - the Architect, of the Royal Bank Chambers, Melbourne.  Ray Maurice King had a 62 year career and died in 1956, aged 85.

The Argus, August 3, 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71649880

(5)  A.S. Boote - the builder (incorrectly listed in the article as A. F. Boote). Alfred Stanley Boote, builder and contractor of Dandenong. He died in 1961 aged 68.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, July 8, 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214584956

(6) G.R. Burhop - George Randall Burhop, Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1924 until 1941.

(7) McCulloch, David Stewart, Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1923 until 1928; 1929-1930.

(8) Cr Bennett - Matthew Bennett 

https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2020/01/matthew-bennett-farmer-and-mla.html

(9) Cr Taylor - Joseph Taylor - Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1924 until 1949.

 Information about the Councillors is from - The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Cheshire, 1968)

(10) Mrs S. Christie nee Evelyn Rebecca Hazlett, the wife of Hall Trustee Samuel Christie in footnote 3. Evelyn died in 1960, aged 82.

World War One Soldiers with a Dalmore connection

Dalmore is a small town on the Great Southern Railway Line, one stop past Tooradin. This section of line from  Tooradin to Koo Wee Rup opened February 1890. The Dalmore Railway Station was originally called Peer’s Lane, then Koo Wee Rup West and then renamed Dalmore in January 1909 (1). Dalmore was the name of Duncan MacGregor’s estate, which he purchased in 1875. Peer’s Lane (now Dalmore Road) was named after a local land owner Frederick Peers (1843-1896) (2). The Dalmore Post Office and Store opened in 1915; the State School, No. 4002, in 1920 (and closed in 1978) and the Hall opened in 1925 (3). Dalmore had a population of 173 in 1921 (4) 

Here is a list of any soldiers I could find with a Dalmore connection. Some local men may have enlisted with Cardinia as an address, I have written about some Cardinia Soldiers, here, including some of these men on this list.  I haven't included soldiers who moved into the area after the War onto the Gowan Lea Soldier Settlement Estate.  I have listed the Service Numbers (SN) so you can read their full service record on the National Archives of Australia website

Andrews, Cecil (SN 2123)  Cecil was a 26 year old farmer when he enlisted on May 1, 1916. His address on the Embarkation Roll was Dalmore and his next of kin was his mother, Emily of Mordialloc. Cecil was Killed in Action in France on October 17, 1917. There are six In Memoriam notices for Cecil in The Argus from October 18, 1918 (see here) one of which is a lovely notice from his nieces and nephews, including 'wee Cecil' obviously named in honour of his Uncle. The other notices were from his parents, his sister Alice, his brother Walter and his wife Ethel, who lived in Mordialloc; his brother Will and his wife Lydia - they lived in Dalmore; and his brothers Arthur and Charles and sister-in-law Nellie, who also all lived in Dalmore. Cecil is listed on the Cardinia Honor Board and also had a tree planted in the Memorial Grove at the Cardinia State School, you can read about this here.

In Memoriam notices for Cecil Andrews

The Argus October 18, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1410553

Hardy,  Horace Robert (SN 19995)   Horace enlisted on June 20, 1917 at the age of 21. He Returned to Australia July 13, 1919. Horace was the son of William John Hardy (1855 - 1940) and  Sophia Wells Cadd (1856 - 1919) of Dalmore. His paternal grandparents, Emling and Emily (nee Gregory) Hardy took up land at Clyde North in 1856 - Hardy Road is named after the family. His maternal grandparents were Thomas and Sarah (nee Wells) Cadd who took up land at Clyde in 1862 (5). Horace had a tree planted in the Memorial Grove at the Cardinia State School, you can read about this here.

The following two grandly named men were the sons of Edward Simpson Hill and Charlotte Hill of Dalmore. Edward also enlisted.
Hill, Arthur George Leonard Curnow (SN 61869) was an 18 year old labourer when he enlisted on June 11, 1918. Arthur was born at Bunyip South, which was later called Iona. Arthur was sent overseas to England, but was not involved in any fighting and Returned to Australia September 22, 1919.
Hill, Graham John Dudley Bowman (SN 1574) Known as Dudley. Dudley  enlisted on September 6, 1915. He was a 22 year old farmer. Dudley Returned to Australia March 9, 1919. Dudley was granted a Soldier Settlement farm after the War, you can read his file here.

Dudley Hill granted a Soldier Settlement farm

Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 4, 1919, p. 4

Dudley Hill had a tree planted in the Memorial Grove at the Cardinia State School and Arthur Hill is listed on the Cardinia Honor Board, you can read about this here. 
Hill, Edward Simpson (SN V21471) Edward, the father of the two men above, enlisted on February 16, 1916. His next of kin was naturally his wife, Charlotte. His occupation was Engine driver/Engineer; he was however also the Dalmore Post Master and in March 1916, he had to amputate a man's leg (under telephone instructions from a doctor), read about it in the Weekly Times, here.  He was discharged on June 22, 1916 as he was unfit for service. He stated his age on enlistment as 44, but a notation on the file says 'is obviously very much over age' and lists his age as 56!

Kelly, Darcy (SN 5050) Darcy enlisted on October 3, 1917 at the age of 18 years and 4 months. He claimed to have been born in Dalmur, Gippsland which has been accepted as Dalmore.  Darcy was sent back to Returned to Australia March 17, 1919. Darcy claimed that he had no next of kin. His file states This lad asserts he has no relatives, parents dying in infancy and has lost trace of his guardian. Was last employed by a travelling hawker named McFadzen and left him on the River Murray this week. The enlisting officer seemed to have sympathy for his plight and was asking permission to enlist him in loco parentis as Darcy is now without means. 

Darcy signed  a statuary declaration on December 21, 1918 saying that he was actually born June 26, 1900 and so was only 17 years old when he enlisted. He added a next of kin, a Mrs Sadie Harper, 40 Cope Street, Coburg, who he said was his aunt. Darcy was sent back to Australia in January 1919, as he was underage, and disembarked in Melbourne April 30, 1919.  Another Statuary declaration was signed in 1958, this time he said he was only 15 years old on enlistment and was born June 26, 1902.   The 1958 declaration also said his real name was Norman Hunt, not Darcy Kelly. This is correct because a Miss O. Hunt from 14 Railway Avenue, Malvern wrote to Base Records in April 1918 asking for Darcy Kelly's address. The 1958 Declaration was made because Darcy/Norman wanted proof of his service to join the RSL in Iron Knob in South Australia where he was then living. So was Darcy Kelly / Norman Hunt really born in Dalmore? Well the answer is actually no, he was born in St Kilda on June 26, 1902 to George and Mary Kate (nee Walker) Hunt and the Miss O. Hunt who wrote the letter was his sister Olga, so she obviously knew what he was up to. His mother had died on December 31, 1916 but his father was still alive and died in 1938.  Even though, as it turns out, Darcy / Norman does not really have a Dalmore connection, he remains in my list because you have to admire the gumption of  a 15 year old boy enlisting and making up a very fanciful story about why his parents couldn't sign his enlistment papers. 

McNamara, Michael (SN 7532)  Michael enlisted on May 9, 1917, he was  a labourer from Dalmore and his next of kin was listed as a friend, Amelia Sorensen of Richmond. Michael Returned to Australia on January 30, 1918 and was medically discharged in the April on the grounds of 'premature senility.' Michael said he was 44 when he enlisted but this may have been a lie as a year later his medical reports listed his age at 52 so it appears he removed seven years from his age. 

Woods, William (SN 2728) William was 21 and  a farm labourer, when he enlisted on May 9, 1916. His address was care of William Hardy of Dalmore. His next of kin was his grandmother, Mary Woods, of Maribyrnong. He Returned to Australia January 25, 1919.  William also served in the Second World War, he enlisted at the age of  45 in January 1941 and was discharged in March 1944. William was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, firstly at Dalmore and then at Werrimull, south of Mildura, after the Great War and was living in Mildura when he enlisted in 1941.You can read his Soldier Settler files, here and here. William had a tree planted in the Memorial Grove at the Cardinia State School, you can read about this here.

Footnotes
(1) VicSig website https://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Dalmore

(2) Gunson, Niel The Good County: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire, 1968).

(3) Tooradin: 125 years of coastal history - Blind Bight, Cannon's Creek, Sherwood, Tooradin North, Warneet 1875-2000 State school No. 1503 compiled by John Wells and the 'Tooradin Celebrates Together 125 Years of Education Committee' (The Committee, 2001)
(4) Victorian Places website http://www.victorianplaces.com.au/
(5) Clyde History website https://www.earlyhistory4clydevic.com/html/0404hardy.html

A version of this story, which I wrote and researched,  appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years 

100 years ago this week - Dalmore Roads

100 years ago this week comes this report from the Lang Lang Guardian  of September 8, 1915 about Dalmore ratepayers prepared to pay extra to get their roads fixed.  Apparently Dalmore was a 'quagmire covered with scrub'  The roads were partly bad as a great many tons of potatoes were being sent to the Dalmore Station. Dalmore Station had opened on October 1, 1888, it was originally called Peer’s Lane, then Koo-Wee-Rup West, then Dalmore. 

The School at 'the end of Ballarto Road' was the Cardinia State School, No. 3689, which had opened on November 3, 1911. The Church they are referring to is the Cardinia Presbyterian Church which was completed in October 1915.

Lang Lang Guardian  September 8, 1915.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119512856