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 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.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
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
(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.
