The inside of the 93-year-old Yarrawonga Town Hall will receive a refurbishment with a Town Hall Precinct Design Advisory Group to be formed to ensure the hall can be used by a broad range of groups.
As the construction of the Yarrawonga Library and Events Precinct is underway, attention has now turned to the town hall refurbishment with a Town Hall Precinct Design Advisory Group formed.
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The Design Advisory Group will have a focus on gathering a range of views to ensure that the almost 100 year old town hall and its spaces within can be designed to be used by a broad range of groups over the lifetime of the precinct.
Moira Shire Director Sustainable Communities Janet Martin spoke to a recommendation at the July ordinary council meeting which approved the terms of reference for the group.
“It is now time to turn attention to the design aspects of the town hall with the focus of this group to be that a great many events can be held there,” Ms Martin said.
“This incredibly important asset isn’t only for Yarrawonga but also for the broader environments.
The Yarrawonga Town Hall opening celebrations in 1931.
“The advisory group to advise in particular the designers on how to create this facility to be a long-lasting legacy.
“We are keen to ensure that we as council have a person in this group with great engagement and who can undertake a range of steps to ensure very many voices are heard in terms of how the space is going to function.”
Chair Administrator John Tanner AM reiterated the importance of the hall to the community and to retaining its history while also bringing it up to modern standards.
“The current and future uses of the hall are important aspects of this. I think it is all about the design now which is important but the future is far more important particularly when you’re looking at a building of such an age,” Mr Tanner said.
“Let’s hope that it’s around for another 100 years. It deserves to be.”
While there will be slight changes made as part of the refurbishment locals are not to worry about any substantial modifications as the grand and much loved 93-year-old Yarrawonga Shire (Town) Hall was confirmed to be on the Victorian Heritage Register in November 2022.
Following the First World War, the Yarrawonga township commenced several public improvement works, beginning with the proposed construction of a new shire hall.
Construction of the shire hall was supported by a ‘judicious pooling of funds’ and although the opening ceremony of the hall was not held until 1931.
From the 1930s, the auditorium in the shire hall has been a popular venue for major town events, film screenings, theatre performances and dances.
