The picturesque Upper Kangaroo River Community Hall stands on Upper River Road opposite the Kangaroo River. It is one of only a few privately owned community halls in the country.
It recently celebrated its 60th birthday and a wonderful celebration was had to commemorate this. But first, some background.
The Hall was first conceived in the late 1950s during discussions by members of the original 12 European families who lived in Upper River. The first recorded meeting was in 1958, when the Progress Association was formed with the aim of building a hall for the enjoyment of all Upper River families. There was also mention of the “dangerous and shocking condition of the road”; thankfully something we no longer have to endure.
Systematic fundraising happened over the next 4-5 years; over 500 cakes and sponges and 25 heifers were sold to raise the walls of the Hall. The official Opening Ball was on the 29 November 1963. Tickets were £1 and included supper and dancing. The Hall has been celebrated almost every 10 years since, and this year was no different. In the interim it has been used for dances, weddings, movies, theatre, and family get-togethers.
Sarah Butler wrote and directed a three-act play as part of the celebration. The first act (played in the Sharman paddock adjacent to the Hall), depicted the initial meetings and conversations about the possibility and wonder of a hall. Ably played by locals, the group discussed fundraising and how a hall could be possible. As well there was a colourful ditty by local jester Michael Cox.
At the end of Act 1, the cast and 160 locals and invited guests were treated to high tea of cucumber sandwiches, egg and lettuce sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and glasses of bubbles. It was very reminiscent of the day.
The second act then moved into the Hall to reenact some of the many events that had taken place within it. There was dancing, a bride, and much celebration.
Then we moved outside for the final act. This involved a wonderful birthday cake and singing by local musicians Andy Gordon and John Kain. The cake was enjoyed with tea and coffee.
The formal part of the afternoon included a speech from the organiser and current president, Gary Moore, who officially opened the Sharman Annex (aka the Supper Annex). This acknowledged that, some years previously, the Sharmans donated the land that the Hall stands on to the Progress Association.
Many then stayed on to enjoy grazing plates of nibbles (from Caterina KV), with wine and 50s and 60s music. It was a terrific afternoon and evening. A significant number of the first 12 families involved in the Hall were represented, either personally or by family members. There was much reminiscing, laughter and merriment.
And we managed to fit all this around rain showers and still get into the annex before the heavens opened with a massive storm and brief loss of power. It was very Upper River.