The Tooradin Mechanics' Institute was opened on Boxing Day in 1882. Local Historian, David Mickle (1), recorded the establishment of the building -
Tooradin had been in need of a meeting place for some time. It was on the 21st June, 1882 that a public meeting was held to form a committee and raise funds. Mr J.F. Rutter had offered a good site for the hall free of charge. Mr Jobson chaired the meeting and the following Trustees were appointed: J. F. Rutter, A. Dunlop, M. Evans, C. Moody, with J. Sill (Secretary) (2). A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Rutter for his gift. The site is on part of William Lyall's Lot 9, Parish of Sherwood. (3) Mr Sill's request to the Council for a donation was refused, but undaunted, the committee had their Mechanics' Institute Hall and Free Library erected and ready for the Grand Opening on Boxing Day 1882. (4)
John Francis Rutter (1842-1906) was a local land owner, he had married Elizabeth Hemphill in 1877 and they had three sons Joseph Edward, John Hemphill and Hubert. The donation of land for the Mechanics' Institute, was not the only gift the Rutter family gave to the Tooradin township, In 1928, it was reported that Messrs. Rutter, of Tooradin, recently presented the Committee of the Tooradin Mechanics’ Institute with some blocks of land adjoining the hall. Later, the estate of John Hemphill Rutter (who died 1944) donated land to the people of Tooradin for a park, known as the Rutter Memorial Park. (5)
Tenders were invited for the construction of the building in August 1882.
The opening of this new building took place on Boxing-day with a bazaar and concert. The attendance was far greater than the most sanguine anticipated, upwards of five hundred people being present. Mr Lyall had kindly consented to open the Hall, and much regret was expressed that owing to ill health he was unable to be present. A letter, however, expressing his interest in and good wishes for the success of the Institute was read and the Hall declared opened. Mr Gibb, M.L.A., was present, taking a lively interest in the proceedings. Too much praise cannot be given to the ladies for their exertions, both in sending fancy goods to and selling them at the bazaar the proceeds from which and from other sources amounted to nearly one hundred and twenty pounds.
A ball terminated the proceedings, and was so well attended that the building was quite crowded. The Hall was prettily decorated with evergreens and the stalls containing the fancy goods presented a most attractive appearance. The building, designed by Mr Crook, architect, of South Yarra, is an excellent and handsome wooden structure prettily situated in a slight rise by the side of the Inlet, overlooking the Bay and French Island. (6)
Mr Lyall was President and Mr Sill Secretary, there were Vice Presidents Messrs Moody and Timms, Mr Rutter, Treasurer and Messrs Dunlop, Evans and Lyne, Committee. (7) A small booklet printed by the Dandenong Advertiser outlined the 49 rules and regulations of the Institute and its objects which were for the moral and mental improvement and rational recreation of members. The means to be employed were: a Library of Reference and Circulation, the delivery of Lectures, Discussions, the formation of classes, but no political or religious controversy would be allowed. Membership was 2/6 per quarter. (8). An old business partner of William Lyall, John Bakewell, then living in London, had donated 100 pounds to the building fund. (9).
In the early days Mechanics' Institutes had to send in a return to the Government and these returns were published in the annual Statistical Register for the Colony of Victoria compiled from official records in the office of the Government Statist. (10) Tooradin appears in the years 1884 until 1894, and here are some of the statistics -
The Mechanics' Institute hosted the usual range of activities - meetings, dances, concerts as these few newspaper reports tell us -
From 1891 - A plain and fancy dress ball was hold on Friday last, June 26, at Tooradin, when the residents and their friends met at the local Mechanics' Institute, at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Basan. The hall was most tastefully decorated, and the dancing, which commenced shortly after 9 o'clock and continued until an early hour in the morning, was very enjoyable. (11) The Basans owned the Tooradin Hotel.
From 1896 - On Wednesday, 4th March, the pretty seaside township of Tooradin was all excitement over a wedding solemnised in the Mechanics' Institute, which does duty as a church. The hall was very prettily decorated by friends of the bride. Over the bridal party was suspended a floral bicycle, from which hung a white floral bell. The interested parties were Miss Elizabeth Lyne, eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Lyne, Westbourne, Tooradin, and Mr. Cole, third son of the late Rev. T. C. Cole, of St. George's Church Malvern. The ceremony look place at eleven o'clock, the officiating clergyman being the Rev. Alfred Cole, Drouin, Gippsland, a cousin of the bridegroom. (12)
From 1916 - A highly successful concert was given in the Mechanics' Institute on Friday, 14th July, by the Tooradin Minstrel Troupe, the proceeds of which want to aid the local Red Cross and Hall funds. Long before the performance was timed to commence, every available space was filled with patrons from the town and surrounding districts. The programme, which was a lengthy one, consisted of humorous songs, dialogues and step-dancing. All were rendered in a splendid manner by the company, and drew forth thunders of applause from the audience. The whole of the programme reflects great credit on the management and artists, which consisted entirely of local talent. The concert raised, after expenses, £9 17s 6d. (13)
Then disaster struck on June 17, 1937 - the hall burnt to the ground. The Age reported -Fire at Tooradin. Mechanics' Hall Destroyed.
The Weekly Times also reported on the disaster -
Tooradin Library Destroyed.
Three thousand books, forming one of the most comprehensive country libraries in Victoria, were burnt in a fire which destroyed the 75-year-old Tooradin Mechanics' Institute building. Blazing fiercely when first discovered at 4.30 am., the fire quickly gutted the building, while townspeople looked on helplessly without any water supply, with which to combat it. Insured for £1000, the building contained the library, a hall and supper room. All the furniture, including a piano, was destroyed. At midnight, when members of the local table tennis club left the hall, everything appeared to be safe.
Koo-Wee-Rup police are investigating the fire, the cause of which is unknown. As the institute was 50 yards from the nearest building, other premises were not endangered. (15)
It is interesting that the two reports of the fire have such a large discrepancy in the number of books - three thousand in one, 1500 in the other and both figures still much larger than the number reported in 1894, which was 622.
The locals acted quickly to have a new hall built and less than a year after it was destroyed the replacement building was opened on March 16, 1938.
The Koo Wee Rup Sun had a comprehensive report of the opening -
New Tooradin Hall. Opened by Mr. A.J. Kirton, M.L.A.
Wednesday, 16th inst., proved to be quite a gala night at Tooradin, when the opening of a new public hall to replace the old edifice destroyed by fire in June last year was the principal attraction. Mr A.J. Kirton, M.L.A., for Mornington, had the honor of performing the opening ceremony, and with the interior brightly lit by powerful electric light globes and enhanced by varied colored and pretty dresses of the ladies the scene was one of beauty and one long to be remembered by justly proud residents, who are now the custodians of the largest public hall in the shire. Dance music was rendered by the Rhythm Swingers’ Orchestra of four players, and things were kept merrily going until close on milking or, should we say, fishing time. Close on 300 persons sat down to a much appreciated supper, catered for by Mr J.H. Scott of Kooweerup.
The builder was Mr. L.C. Williams, of Balwyn, the outside walls being of wood and fibro plaster with iron roof, and the interior white plaster sheets with a six foot three-ply dado round walls. The dimensions of the various rooms are as follows: - Dance hall, 36 ft. x 56ft.; stage 20ft. x 9ft.; passage, 5ft. wide, 23 ft. long; entrance hall, 12 ft. x 12 ft.; gents room, 10 ft. x 8 ft.; ladies’ room, 14 ft. by 8ft.; library, 12 ft. by 8ft.; supper room, 22 ft. by 28 ft.; kitchen, 12 ft. x 8 ft.
On behalf of the Trustees, committee and residents of Tooradin, Mr. D. Henderson, president of the committee, extended a hearty welcome to Mr A.J. Kirton, M.L.A., and thanked all those who had assisted in connection with the erection of the hall.
Mr Kirton said he felt highly honored on being asked to perform the opening ceremony, and he heartily congratulated the committee and management on the success achieved, the building being a credit to Tooradin. Such works showed the progress of a district. The new hall had been erected on the old hall site, which had cherished memories dating back 56 years. This site had been presented to residents by the late Mr J.F. Rutter. The old hall had cost £280 to erect and when completed with a free library £540. In the June fire of last year many valuable books had been destroyed. The Royal Insurance Company had held the fire insurance policy for 55 years. Mr G. Egerton was the oldest trustee alive. The present building had cost a little over £1000, and he congratulated the committee and residents on their enterprise, adding that same was fitting to such an ideal holiday resort as Tooradin, and if developed further, would become a tourist resort. He was confident that Tooradin had a future, and he had pleasure in dedicating the hall to the public for future use.
On the motion of President Henderson, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Kirton for his attendance was carried by acclamation. (16).
