Bonville Memorial Hall

About

Bonville Memorial Hall was constructed in 1929 by contractors Faulks, Boultwood and Wood, using timber and fibro. It is a typically designed rural community hall, with a gabled roof of corrugated iron. Since being built, the front facade has been remodeled. It features a high brick wall, with a stepped top that creates interesting visual appeal. There is also a gabled cover-way leading to the front door and a mobility ramp for access. A supper room has also been added on the southern side of the hall. The hall contains honour rolls and trophy guns dating back to the First World War. One of the guns is a German MG08/15 machine gun, made in 1917 by J P Sauer & Sohn of Suhl. It was captured by the 13th Battalion at Vaire Wood, France, on 4 July 1918 and came to Australia aboard the SS Coo-ee on 11 October 1919. Access inside the hall is restricted to its opening hours.  There were two previous halls on site, built in 1896 and 1910 (Sawtell Guardian, 11 November 1971). By November 1929, work on the new hall was well underway and it was hoped to have it completed by December (Coffs Harbour Advocate, 8 November 1929). The official opening took place on Boxing Day, 26 December 1929 and was reported in the Coffs Harbour Advocate on 7 January 1930. At least 1,500 people attended the event, which also included sports. Mr W.T. Craig, chairman of the trustees, presided and opened the proceedings. President of Bellingen Shire Council Councillor H.V. Wood officially opened the hall. Up until the early 1970s, the building was known as the Bonville Hall. In the Sawtell Guardian on 18 March 1971, the Country Women's Association advertised an upcoming cooking contest in the "Memorial Hall, Bonville". In August the next year, the annual meeting of the Hall Committee confirmed the transition was underway. The Sawtell Guardian, 31 August 1972, reported on the meeting, saying "that subject to the approval of the Chief Secretary's Department, the Hall Committee and the Progress Association would combine under the title of the Bonville Memorial Hall and Progress Association."

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