Soldiers' Memorial Hall at Catani

The Catani Soldiers' Memorial Hall was opened on October 19, 1928.  

Grand Opening Ball advertisement

Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 4, 1928. p.1

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of October 25, 1928 had the following report  -

Catani Soldiers’ Memorial Hall

Official Opening.

Friday, the 19th inst., was a night that will be long remembered by residents, it being the opening date of the new Soldiers’ Memorial Hall at Catani. The committee as well as the ladies who had charge of the decorations, catering, etc., anxiously watched all day the heavy clouds that forecasted a downpour, and about six p.m. a heavy storm broke, and in less than an hour over an inch of rain was recorded. This was welcome from a primary production standpoint, but not so by the committee. By 9.30 p.m., however, the hall being lighted by an installation of 10 Gloria lights, presented a crowded and brilliant scene. Over 200 people were present, visitors coming from all the surrounding districts.

As the gathering comprised old and young, it was decided to have old-time dances as well as modern, and at intervals songs, recitations and musical items were rendered, which kept the whole assemblage in a very happy mood.

Mr Walsh, chairman of the Hall committee, presided. At 10.45 p.m. he called a halt in the dancing and gave a statement of how the funds were provided for the erection of the hall, which had cost just on £1000 for construction. This amount was provided by the Closer Settlement Board , carrying interest and sinking fund to the amount of seven per cent per annum, liquidating the total indebtedness of construction in 20 years. Fifty pounds had been obtained from the H.V. McKay Estate fund, and over £200 had been raised by local effort in donations, gifts of stock, and local entertainments, which enabled the committee to pay £100 deposit to the C.S.B., install seating accommodation for over 200 people, a Gloria lighting plant, as well as pay £40 on a piano and erect entrance gate, fencing, etc. The committee still retains a credit balance, which will enable it to carry-out improvements later on. The chairman then called on Cr. Bennett to welcome visitors and invited guests, and read apologies from Anzac House, Mr Moore, of the C.S.B., Mr Onley (Lang Lang), and Mr Lawrie (Bunyip), expressing disappointment at not being able to attend.

Cr. Bennett, on behalf of the committee, said, like all other sections of the community, the people of Catani desired to express in some way their appreciation of what our soldiers had done for Australia and the Empire in the Great War. Hence the erection of a memorial hall, and as long as the building remained with its inscription it would be a reminder of what the hall stood for. He extended a hearty welcome to all, and the committee’s appreciation of the fine gathering.

Mr Hodgson (Kooweerup) replied on behalf of the various branches of the Returned Soldiers’ League.  The chairman then called on Mr Walter, M.L.A., to officially declare the hall open.

Mr Walter expressed pleasure at being present, and said he felt it an honor to be asked to open the hall. He complimented the committee and residents on the erection of such a well-equipped and excellently finished building and felt sure its usefulness would be appreciated by all and that the young people would have many happy evenings in the future. He then declared the hall open, after which the National Anthem was sung.

The comforts of the visitors were officially carried out by members of the Catani branch of the Women’s Section of the Country Party.

Ex-Cr. McCulloch moved a vote of thanks to Howell’s Orchestra, which provided the music free, the district business people, whose donations in kind helped very materially in providing the supper, and the district ladies, who worked splendidly for the comfort of the visitors. The vote was carried by acclamation.

Cr. Greaves, Shire President, expressed pleasure at being present and congratulated residents on having such an up-to-date hall and concluded by moving a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman. Mr Walsh suitably responded.

At about 2.30 a.m. the strains of music ceased and the assemblage drifted away, all agreed that they had spent a most happy and enjoyable evening.

1928 - Plan of the Catani Soldiers' Memorial Hall. Note the Bio-box is above the entrance.

Image: Catani Hall file - Public Building Files (VPRS7882)

I looked at the file at the Public Records Offices  of Victoria and the following is a time line from information from the Catani Hall file - Public Building Files (VPRS7882) at the Public Records Office of Victoria, created by the Department of Public Health. Two of the  1959 entries were supplied by the Cardinia Shire, the other four, as indicated are from the Shire of Cranbourne meeting minutes.

1928 Plans and specifications for the hall were completed by Evan Smith, Chief Architect, Closer Settlement Branch of the Public Works Department.

1928 October 19  Hall opened.

1928 Secretary – W.J. Henwood.

1930 March  Inspection by Health Commission, who could not inspect the bio-cabin and it was not to be used before a separate inspection was undertaken.

1930 April 11 Health Commission objection to bio-cabin withdrawn and it may be used at your own risk pending further inspection.

1930 Secretary A.A. Patullo

1936 August Ten electric lights installed

1938 August Inspection by Health Commission – the floor of the bio-cabin to be covered with fire resisting material…you are further advised that the use of the Hall for cinematograph purposes is prohibited.

1938 Secretary C.E. Bourne

1939 Erection of store room approved for the storage of military equipment so they could lease the Hall to the Army for drill purposes for the local unit of the 14th Battalion.

1939 Health Commission inspection report - provide all weather path to toilets

1940 - 1950 Secretary - Hugh Carr Mc Donald

1940 March Health Commission inspection – notify the Commission before again using the bio-cabin.

1941 December Renewal of application for use of the building as a public building – 400 people was listed as the maximum accommodation.

1950 February 8 Health Commission inspection report – provide all weather path to toilets

1952 Renewal of application for use of the building as a public building – 499 people was listed as the maximum accommodation.

1955 July 28 Health Commission inspection report – provide all weather path to toilets and remove blackberries and grass from toilet enclosures

1959 January 7 Crown Grant of the land to Leslie Albert Ashby, Clifford Burrall Sutton and Wallace George Malcolm of Catani and Hector Templeton McColl of Bunyip dated 7 January 1959.

1959 January 16 - Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Trustees of Catani Soldiers' Hall. Asking Council to act as Trustees for the Catani Soldiers Hall. Crs Evans and Fechner: - That the letter be received and the Hall Trustees be informed that the Council would agree to the transfer of the Hall Site to the Council, provided the Trustees pay all legal transfer fees, the Hall is managed and maintained, without cost to the Council, by a Committee elected at a Public Meeting and approved by the Council.

1959 September 11  Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Trustees Catani Hall. Accepting Council's offer to accept ownership of the Catani Hall. Crs Webb and Fechner: - That letter be received and the transfer of Catani Public Hall Site to the Council be arranged.

1959 October 9  Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Hall Sites - Transfer to Council. Crs Webb and Greaves:- That the transfers of the Catani Public Hall Site and the South Lyndhurst Community Centre Site to the name of the Council be signed.

1959 November 7 Land Transferred to Cranbourne Shire Council as a gift by above named on 7 November 1959

1959 November 13 - Cranbourne Shire Council meeting minutes - Catani Soldiers Hall Committee. Understand Council is making funds available to assist Hall Committees. Asks for a grant to renovate the Hall. Crs Cochrane and Fechner: - That the letter be received and the Committee be advised that the Council is assisting with the maintenance of Recreation Reserves only.

1961 Health Commission inspection report – provide all weather path to toilets and remove blackberries and grass from toilet enclosures

1961 July 14 Shire of Cranbourne Medical Officer report re inspection of toilet facilities in the Shire – Catani Hall – Unsatisfactory – require attention right through.

1961-1964 Mr Matthews Secretary

1964 Nov 24  Health Commission inspection report - Remove blackberries and grass from toilet enclosures

1972 December Toilet plans drawn up. They were an extension to the hall, to replace the external toilets.

1974 November Cranbourne Shire plans for toilets submitted – 15 pages of specs plus plans.

1975 July Toilet plans resubmitted as first application was missing

1975 October Toilet plans approved

1976 September 28 Approval from Commission of Public Health to open new toilets

1978 Structural alteration discussed but were not proceeded with

1979 December 20 Last item in file. It is regarding proposed alterations.

One day, I will do another post on the Hall, with a focus on the social activities which took place there.