Bellata War Memorial Hall

About

The Bellata War Memorial Hall is a large hall with an Art Deco style brick façade, timber framed and weatherboard walls, and a corrugated iron roof. The memorial hall was designed by Mr Bob Lockwood, Architect from Inverell, and constructed by Mr Jack Terbutt, builder from Narrabri. The building was opened on 2 October 1956, and commemorates all who served in the First and Second World Wars. In late May 1953 a large public meeting of residents from Bellata and surrounding districts was held where the decision was made to build a new hall as a memorial to soldiers of both the First and Second World Wars. A committee was formed to arrange finance for the hall's construction and a site for the building (North West Champion (Moree), 28 May 1953). In November 1953 the committee asked the Shire Council for assistance in securing a suitable block of land. The North Western Courier, 23 November 1953, reported that the proposed hall was to be 100 feet by 150 feet. With the new hall expected to cost £9,000, the committee set out to fundraise with events including a Reliability Trial, a woolshed dance and a house party. A Christmas Fair was also held on 17 December 1954 (The North Western Courier (Narrabri) 16 December 1954). The 1954 Bellata and District Memorial Hall carnival concluded on New Year's Eve with the crowning of both the Sports Queen and Country Queen, who between them raised over £4,000 for the new hall (The North Western Courier (Narrabri) 6 January 1955).